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Foldable iPhone's Crease-Free Display Tech Spotted at CES 2026
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kingtj1971
macrumors 6502a
I'm not so sure? I'd agree with your argument except I think the early-adopters will drive sales of "version 1" of a folding iPhone, just to show off the feature itself and to carry something new/different in their pockets?
The bigger question, IMO, is where this technology will go as things progress. The first iPhone didn't even run native software apps. Everything was just a link to a web app. And look where we've come since then!
I'd really like to have a phone in my pocket that's not significantly thicker than my current iPhone 16 Pro Max but would provide 2x the screen real-estate just by flipping it open. I don't have problems carrying the current phone because it's still sized appropriately for my needs. I just wouldn't want to carry one that's much taller or wider -- so a folding phone that's similar makes sense. Makes even MORE sense if they allow it to run your formerly native iPad applications when it's flipped open and could match their same screen resolution over both panels.
Greenmeenie
macrumors 68020
The Fold likely isn't the phone for me. I like a minimalist iPhone (Air) when I'm out, and a tiny tablet (iPad Mini) when I'm home, but I don't need/want to combine them because I use them in different places and in different ways (quick tasks when I'm out, heavy consumption when I'm home).
But I do always carry my iPad Mini around at home, and not being able to pocket it is annoying. So I might be interested in the Fold purely as an iPad Mini replacement that can fold in half and fit in my pocket. It will be expensive for a secondary device--although time-wise I do tend to use my iPad Mini quite a bit more than my phone so it might be somewhat justified.
The other question is will it function well as a secondary device in terms of software. Currently iPhones don't have all the same Continuity functions as iPads.
But I do always carry my iPad Mini around at home, and not being able to pocket it is annoying. So I might be interested in the Fold purely as an iPad Mini replacement that can fold in half and fit in my pocket. It will be expensive for a secondary device--although time-wise I do tend to use my iPad Mini quite a bit more than my phone so it might be somewhat justified.
The other question is will it function well as a secondary device in terms of software. Currently iPhones don't have all the same Continuity functions as iPads.
Phone screens have gotten very scratch resistant. Are folding screens really just as resistant? I'd be shocked.
But on the other hand, a folding screen is protected when the phone is folded, so it may not need to be as scratch resistant.
Well the first step is googling how you put cases on the other folding phones.
usmaak
macrumors 65816
Wondering how many "I have no use for a foldable phone/I don't want a foldable phone" people here will be talking about how revolutionary Apple's foldable iPhone is a year from now. 😂
This is very possible. We’ve seen, for example, Samsung release various gimmicks (such as the old Edge models) that get people to buy them because of the novelty factor, but when there’s no real need or problem being solved and something is released just because it’s a “cool toy,” that kind of product usually doesn’t have a future.
True. But somehow the Fold as a form factor feels more like a concept reminiscent of Nokia’s experiments in its last years before it collapsed, for example the E90 or the E71. Back then they tried to solve the problem of screen size versus phone usability in various traditional and clumsy ways. The Fold feels just as clumsy. We need a new “iPhone”. Some technology or device that solves the core problem in a completely new way.
The problem with that specific example is that a Pro Max–sized device that unfolds into something bigger would become square-shaped when opened. If you watch videos on it, the video size would be practically the same as just rotating the current Pro Max into landscape mode. Sure, for other uses there would be some extra benefit, but in my opinion that benefit is minimal. A square-shaped screen is pretty useless.
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
When opened the fold will be like 3 sizes bigger than pro max. That’s a massive difference
It won’t flop based on Apple projections and supply chain projections have Foldables growing even more in 2026
Foldables are obliged getting bigger and as more add better camera hardware in them and the more they get thinner and lighter the more likely people will buy them. Hense why fold 7 got good reviews due to weight being manageable on your pocket
With iPhones being same updates year after year camera hardware wise it’s not like people should buy the pros just for better cameras. Even Chinese brands this year are planning much better camera hardware on their Foldables
Foldables won’t be for everybody and that’s what it’s good to have choice.
-BigMac-
macrumors 68030
I won’t - and talking about why is literally what comment sections are for, sleeptodream. You might want to wake up to that part.
The-Real-Deal82
macrumors P6
I agree yeah. I only use my iPad at home and have no real use for it during the day on the move and could carry it now but I don't. It'll have its market but very much doubt and hope it doesn't become a mainstream iPhone that forces devices under it to lack the premium features. As long as Apple make Pro Max iPhones I will remain as a customer.
That is a good request.
But there are also people who want a physically small sized phone.
A size where any of the current iPhone models would be considered oversized. Where even the iPhone mini would be considered too large.
They basically want a phone the size of a small wallet - but still with a decent sized screen. Not an Apple Watch sized screen.
This can be done with a foldable device. Imagine a regular iPhone 17 - that folds in half.
If one would want a large screen Internet communication device - there are iPads for that! An iPhone that folds into an iPad mini is not really adding anything new to the Apple lineup.
Yet if one would want a truly small sized phone - there is currently nothing from Apple.
Apple with its vast resources has researched this thoroughly. As a result they’ve identified the demand for a folding iPhone as worthy of their time and trouble.
If Apple equips the new model competitively they’ll do very well. Positioning it as their flagship phone will assure maximum attention and the type of marketing and promotion Apple excels at.
But I still wonder how common the use case really is where you specifically need to carry a portable device that can be unfolded into a larger one, especially when it costs around $2,500. People already have Macs and iPads at home, and many also carry a bag where they could bring one of those if they actually need a bigger screen. So isn’t the potential customer base for this Fold fairly small, considering the price? And is that really enough to justify starting an entire production line for it? The iPhone mini was always said to be unprofitable to keep in the lineup because there were too few users. There were still millions of users, though. And in the case of the mini, couldn’t you also say that “it’s good to have options”? That option is no longer available, even though many people clearly loved it.
jaceapoc
macrumors member
I'm surprised nobody in here is talking about Samsung contacting MacRumors just to say basically "This isn't actually the tech used in the next iPhone, make sure to put that in the article you wrote about it please"
To me that speaks volume and this tech is indeed what will be used in the next iPhone
To me that speaks volume and this tech is indeed what will be used in the next iPhone
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
It's a fair question to be honest and until it's released we don't know for sure on potential adoption
Price is going to be interesting. If it's 1800 I think people would accept it more but depends as apple are ordering 20 million panels so research says they think this form factor will sell
I want one so can use a bigger display on the go. I use other phones for cameras so maybe I'm not the average user but I think it will be popular as people will want a new form factor.
Time will tell but certainly makes things more interesting in the tech space and also could push foldables further which experts are predicting
throAU
macrumors G4
Really?
I've instantly been able to spot foldable phones on display whenever i walk into a store from 6 feet away, because it sticks out like dogs bollocks. Are you guys blind? Genuinely... my eyesight isn't what it used to be and i have zero issues spotting the crease to the point of it being distracting...
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
That's because most of the really good foldable creases aren't on display anywhere. Those foldables are basically chinese phones
Fold 7 made a good improvement in crease but fold 6 was really bad.
throAU
macrumors G4
No.... they're at the samsung section of the store... dunno what phone it was (i'm not a samsung product identification guy - because tbh i have no real interest in their ecosystem) but as recently as december...
I would not buy a foldable iphone for at least 2 generations either.
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
Likely fold 7 then i imagine as doubt they would be displaying fold 6 now
I think this is why apple wanted to wait for better crease tech. So if this new display can stay in store without it being noticeable that will help people's state of mind