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Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup

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Apple is rumored to be introducing a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and since it will bring the biggest form factor change since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, curiosity about the design is high. A 3D designer created an iPhone Fold design based on rumors, and we printed it out to see how it compares to Apple's current iPhones.


The foldable iPhone is going to be smaller than any current iPhone when it's closed, and it'll be shorter than Samsung's Galaxy foldables. Rumors suggest it'll be somewhere around 5.4 inches, which would make it as small as the now-discontinued iPhone 13 mini.

When open, the iPhone Fold will be somewhere around 7.6 inches. It'll be smaller than the iPad mini, but the display will be larger than any iPhone to date. The iPhone Fold will be short and wide, for a book-like form factor and usage experience with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

We don't know the dimensions of the foldable iPhone yet, and rumors vary somewhat, so the 3D print isn't an exact representation of the device that Apple has in the works. The 3D model was based on a mockup created by MacRumors reader iZac, who based his design on rumors that were circulating in May. He mocked up a 5.49-inch display when the iPhone is closed, and a 7.76-inch display when it's open. There are no sizing rumors that are significantly off from those figures, but we've heard 5.3 to 5.5 inches for the outer (closed) display, and 7.6 to 7.8 inches for the inner (open) display.

iZac's design also uses a 4.8mm thickness for the device when it's unfolded, and rumors about thickness vary too. It could be 4.8mm, or it could be as thin as 4.5mm.

The hinge on the 3D print is just a stand-in, because we don't know what Apple's hinge will look like. Rumors suggest that Apple spent a lot of time and effort creating a hinge that will make the crease between the two halves of the device almost invisible. We also don't know what the camera area will look like.

Even though the 3D print isn't a spot on representation of the device that Apple is planning to launch, it's close enough to the rumors to provide a good idea of how the iPhone Fold will look and feel in the hand.

Do you plan to get an iPhone Fold? Let us know in the comments below.

Article Link: Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/29/foldable-iphone-mockup-hands-on/
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It looks a bit small and almost stubby notebook toy-like. If I’m paying flagship prices, I expect a genuine display. I really hope Apple releases a proper widescreen model. Check this video which shows how much better video looks when the dimensions are right from 5.20-5.45min

Although thinking about this, aren't iPads 4:3? This means i'm sure Apple will unify the ratios so it all scales so they can port iPadOS fold or whatever it is. Maybe it's a good time for Apple to unify iOS and iPadOS so it scales for both devices.

Side note - Dan’s looking really lean! Good work! especially over the holiday season 💪 He's always got a good vibe with the enthusiasm.

Anyway, here's wishing for widescreen!

 
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A foldable can't have pro cameras because both sides are too thin to house them. You need something chunky like the Pros (and their full depth) to be able to get the camera systems in there. Microsoft learned this when they made the Duo.
 
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Considering the iPone Air is 5.6 mm thin and has a 6.5" and the 17 pro a 6.3" display and the smallest screen iPhone you can currently buy new is the iPhone 16 with a 6.1" screen. Why would Apple ever release a phone with a 5.4" screen in 2026. The unfolded unit you are talking about is only 1.1" bigger than the iPhone Air. It makes no sense as a commercially viable product.
Apple always waits and makes a better product. this is certainly not that.
 
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I would rather like to see a sort of a flip phone, make it short, with a small display, and then it folds to an iPhone max display. If I want an iPad, I have an iPad. I've seen a friend of mine have a foldable phone, think it is a Samsung, it's just so awkward to use it, it's not convenient at all.
 
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orev said:
A foldable can't have pro cameras because both sides are too thin to house them. You need something chunky like the Pros (and their full depth) to be able to get the camera systems in there. Microsoft learned this when they made the Duo.
Click to expand...
Since 2020 we have learned you can make the camera bump as thick as you want (and still claim thinness in marketing).
 
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I have 0 interest in a foldable phone. Glad so many people want these, so they'll be less of a demand for the regular iPhones on release day and that means no delayed shipping :)
 
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This is basically the device from 'Her'...
1767036937780.png
 
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This really isn’t for me. Not to say it won’t be a product that finds a robust market, it just isn’t for me.

I would rather a better camera than a larger screen, which looks like is going to be one of the trade offs. So I’ll stick with the PM format.

Cell phones have be come commoditized at this point. It’s increasingly difficult to become excited about a product that does pretty much the same thing as the generation before it, just incrementally better.
 
It better have 3 Cameras. I think the iPhone Air's lackluster sales has proven that people don't want to compromise on the camera system and this is targeted towards users who'd otherwise buy a Pro.
 
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That outer screen is clearly not as small as an iPhone mini. It is considerably wider.

My first question when hearing Apple is doing a foldable is "iOS or iPadOS?"
But the more I see these small screens, the more I doubt a multitasking revolution. Is it possible they release a folding device that is just a bigger screen when open and doesn't do anything special with it?

sherwinzadeh said:
It better have 3 Cameras. I think the iPhone Air's lackluster sales has proven that people don't want to compromise on the camera system and this is targeted towards users who'd otherwise buy a Pro.
Click to expand...
Four cameras. Two center stage selfie cameras (one for each screen), one wide, one ultrawide. They won't do zoom on gen 1.
 
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The Air is just priced wrong. I bought it 200€ off, priced just 50€ more than the regular iPhone 17, and I really like it now, great battery life with my use case. Camera is just not a big deal for me.
 
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kenta_ said:
If people paid $250 for a pocket/sock they’ll certainly pay $2k for the fold
Click to expand...
Someone certainly would, but the question is if it'll sell the millions of units that justify the R&D investment. The camera's the dealbreaker for me. Sticking with the Pro Max line, despite wanting a fold.
 
If folded size is like an iPhone mini ✅ and run unfolded iPad apps with Pencil and same external display support, it's my nextComputer.
 
What a nice surprise. I'm in, as long as it doesn't cost as much as a MacBook Pro lol. Maybe this is why they no longer make the SE or Mini? Perhaps Apple were betting all along that all of us small iPhone fans would appreciate the form factor of this fold? Pretty sneaky sis.
 
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