iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

[MacRumors]

Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone this year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that Apple will release its first foldable device in 2026.

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Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far. Apple will allegedly call the device the "‌iPhone‌ Fold," which is the name the media has already adopted when sharing rumors about the product.

Overall Design
Book-Style
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's foldable iPhone is similar in style to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, which uses a book-style folding mechanism, rather than the clamshell design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the foldable ‌iPhone‌ to measure between 9 and 9.5 mm when folded, and around 4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded. More recently, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital has said that the foldable iPhone will have a thickness of at least 4.8mm. The leaker has also claimed that the volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the right, similar to the iPad mini, while the power button and Camera Control continue to be located on the right edge of the device, just like other recent iPhones. The back left of the device is also said to feature an ‌iPhone‌ Air-style camera plateau.

Display
Dual Screens
When folded, users will interact with a 5.5-inch outer display that is similar to a typical iPhone screen, while unfolding it will reveal a larger 7.8-inch iPad-style screen. These dimensions have been corroborated by two reputable sources. However, a more recent report by The Information claims that the device will have a 5.3-inch front screen and a 7.7-inch inner display. According to one rumor, the inner folding display will be approximately the size of a piece of A6 paper and will use a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution, while the outer display will use a 2,088 x 1,422 resolution. Apple is reportedly evaluating a tougher display film technology for its foldable, with the use of a transparent polyimide film as a protective layer that would sit on top of the ultra-thin glass.

Crease Visibility
'Crease-Free'
The inner display is said to be virtually crease-free, thanks to Apple's use of a metal plate that can disperse and control the stress generated by bending the display, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple is said to be using liquid metal in the hinges to improve durability and help eliminate screen creasing. Liquid metal, manufactured using a die-casting process, has been chosen by Apple to address this common issue with foldable devices, according to the analyst. Citing supply chain sources, Chinese site UDN says that Apple has solved "the crease problem" that has plagued most foldable smartphones, and the foldable ‌iPhone‌ will be the first crease-free foldable smartphone on the market.

Chassis and Hinge
Durable Materials
The foldable iPhone reportedly has a titanium chassis, with the hinge constructed from a combination of titanium and stainless steel, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The frame itself will use a titanium alloy to prevent bending issues – a solution that has worked well for Apple's new ultra-thin iPhone Air. However, analyst Jeff Pu believes that Apple is using aluminum and titanium, whereas Kuo believes a mix of stainless steel and titanium has been chosen.

Cameras
Front and Rear
The foldable iPhone is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states, according to Kuo. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently corroborated reports that the device will have four cameras consisting of one front camera, one inner camera, and two rear cameras. Prolific Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the rear dual lenses will be... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

 

[yetanotherdave]

While I really want a new form factor I don’t think I can go back to touchID. I get it, you’d need 2 faceID modules one for front and one for inner screen so it makes total sense but for how often I use faceID it would be so annoying to go backwards and make the phone feel less of a step forward as a step sideways

 

[beautyहमempty]

They should make two Face IDs work especially for that price

 

[kirky29]

I didn't think

While I really want a new form factor I don’t think I can go back to touchID. I get it, you’d need 2 faceID modules one for front and one for inner screen so it makes total sense but for how often I use faceID it would be so annoying to go backwards and make the phone feel less of a step forward as a step sideways

I didn't think I'd be able to on my Samsung Fold 7, but it genuinely feels so so much quicker and doesn't have an annoying faceid logo thing take up the top of the screen etc.

 

[code-m]

While I really want a new form factor I don’t think I can go back to touchID. I get it, you’d need 2 faceID modules one for front and one for inner screen so it makes total sense but for how often I use faceID it would be so annoying to go backwards and make the phone feel less of a step forward as a step sideways

Relearning to use TouchID is a minor inconvenience, but it’s doable and not the end of the world.

First world problems. 😝

 

[ThailandToo]

I didn't think

I didn't think I'd be able to on my Samsung Fold 7, but it genuinely feels so so much quicker and doesn't have an annoying faceid logo thing take up the top of the screen etc.

I want whatever doesn’t interrupt my user interface display. The most important thing is messed up by notches and islands just to say to others it’s an iPhone. If they cannot put it all under the display, it shouldn’t be there. This is the biggest reason to get an Android.

 

[unobtainium]

Interesting that it’s only dual cameras externally. Meaning it will not be the top of the line device in terms of photography.

 

[madmin]

Apple going all in with the "more money than sense" market
and judging from the Vision Pro and iPhone Air success (sic)
these are thick nuts to crack

 

[DennyRoozeboom]

Still have my doubts about the whole thing, but it is smart they used 1:√2 like the A letter format.
But the whole format seems pedantic and gimmicky, wish apple had its focus on things that are kinda stupid and could obviously be better.

Think the AirCapsule that Apple had for amazing cheap and handy backups + wifi (icloud-esk, and AI could have its place there nowadays too)
Solving the odd place iPadOS is in, it would also be really cool if the iPad Pro could integrate better with Mac as a pen tablet for professional 2D and 3D uses (maybe it exists but I've never seen it).
Overall stability on Mac. Everything looks sloppy and blurry where it shouldn't be. Honestly a huge miss now that windows is in a mess.
Gaming is honestly a place where all kinds of modern art comes together and Apple completely flops to give it vision, let alone shape.
Low entry to professional apps with the subscription looks nice until you ask any professional about what happened to their software once it became a subscription. A payment plan with the subscription price was the better option, if you have to convince the finance guys just ask for $20 per big upgrade or a $100 for the full suit. Most people will stay on the old version that works for them until the innovation is worth paying for again.
Useable storage to start. I know Apple sees itself as a lifestyle thru tech company. They got the style covered, but what about people's life?! For over $1500 bucks (almost €2000 in the EU) 512GB is criminal. Once any pro is done with their setup they regret their purchase because they need clunky external bs for their device. Not a good look.
5G on the Mac, really it is obvious it feels 2012 not having it on there. I mean my watch has more connectivity.

I could go on but there is very obviously much to do and even money to be made, but Apple would have to know what their users need/want, not the shareholders or whatever tech fashion wants to write.

 

[Serrafemme]

“crease-free” yeah sure…

 

[MarkNewton2023]

All described features look good! So excited! The evolved, major innovated and user experience transformative iPhone is materializing day by day. Folded iPhone will be the most iconic and historical Apple Product that will be the most awaited golden throne of the 50th Anniversary Apple milestone. 👍👍👍🎊
Celebration for all who have been waiting for it is in order when the launch happens!

 

[Radeon85]

I seriously doubt they would ditch Face ID on their flagship device when they’ve been using it for over eight years.

 

[Roll0]

I think it would make more sense for Apple to launch a Samsung "Flip-style" phone. This would meet the needs of those who want a "mini" and those who prefer foldable devices. I myself would be happy to use a "Flip-style" device if it ran iOS.

 

[fjsalcedosotoca]

It seems Samsung will position its iPhone "Fold" twin, Galaxy 8 Fold Wide, BELOW both of Galaxy Fold 8 and Galaxy TriFold 8 in price... I don't see Apple going above 1999 $ with the iPhone Fold.

 

[Gadger Snr]

Just take out a new mortgage to purchase it.

 

[RoadWarrior56]

I have found out the hard way early this week, that there is a real downside to Touch ID on the side button. I own an M1 iPad Air with side button touch ID. I accidently dropped the tablet (and it is in a Zugu Case), and it hit the corner of the button and put a scratch on it, there was no other damage. Since then the Touch ID button will NO LONGER function for biometric ID, although it still works normally as a power button. For the rest of the time I own this device, I will have to use it with a passcode. I had to turn off Touch ID and go back to a 4 digit passcode, and my muscle memory is still adjusting. I read up, and the broken touch ID button is unrepairable. Apple replaces the entire iPad, and if you don't have Apple Care, that replacement is currently $410. Whenever I replace this iPad in the future, I now will consider paying the extra $$$$ for a iPad Pro, just to get rid of side button Touch ID. For a $2000 plus device, this vulnerability would be a deal killer for me.

 

[spartan1967]

Launching JIT to replace the battery in my 13 Mini. As good as Apple hardware is, beta testers are the real deal with how this experiment unfolds.

 

[and 4096 others like this]

I have an iPad Pro and an iPad Air at home. While using Face ID is simple and convenient, on the iPad Air—where Touch ID is built into the button—it usually ends up with me entering the passcode. The button is simply so narrow that in about 6 out of 10 cases I can’t unlock the screen with my finger. The technology itself is fine—I’ve been using iPhones since the very beginning and never had an issue with the 5S, 6S, or 7. But on those models the surface area was larger, which made accurate readings much easier.

Unless they improve the reading accuracy, I personally wouldn’t buy the Fold. But anyway, the main obstacle for me is the price. $2000 is a big “no, no” for me, so I’ll just wait until the technology matures and maybe becomes more affordable.

 

[macduke]

“crease-free” yeah sure…

Why is that so difficult to believe? Samsung already showed off the tech at CES.

 

[iPay]

Coming soon : Apple launches iBookMark with vibrant colors - as low as $99 - for better, er, crease perception dilution.

 

[Superrenz]

Don't need it... just a fancy gimmick for people with too much money.

 

[snipr125]

Im really hoping the Fold is nice and compact when folded, maybe just slightly larger than the 13 Mini.

 

[Zorn]

It's been a long time since I've been this excited for a new phone. The shorter, wider "passport style" design I think is brilliant if it comes to pass. I've used the Samsung ones, and while folding phones really are the future for those of us that don't want multiple devices to lug around, the Samsung version with the super tall super skinny screen when closed is dumb and impossible to type on. They took steps to fixing this with the Fold 7 but IMO from the leaks the way Apple is going here is 100% correct. I need the phone to be usable when closed.

 

[klasma]

While I really want a new form factor I don’t think I can go back to touchID. I get it, you’d need 2 faceID modules one for front and one for inner screen so it makes total sense but for how often I use faceID it would be so annoying to go backwards and make the phone feel less of a step forward as a step sideways

It’s not just needing two sets of sensors, it’s that the one for the outer screen would have to be very thin to fit between the two screens. Possibly just not feasible at the targeted device thickness.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I hope that they sell well. I once owned a Samsung Z Fold 3 and I really liked it overall, but worried about it too much due to it being so fragile. I would put it in a baggie to protect it from dust when I was riding my bike out on gravel roads. The screen has a plastic cover over the glass that felt rather flimsy. Once I dropped the fold from 3 feet up onto a carpeted floor and the cover display stopped working and Samsung replaced the device. I had it for about a year when I decided to switch back to an iPhone and, despite the fact that I really liked using the Fold for things like an e-reader that kind of suck on standard phones, I cannot see myself going back to one unless they are as durable as a standard phone. I won't spend this much money on a phone that can break if dust gets into its moving parts. Plus, at the price that they are talking about, a Pro iPhone plus an iPad mini, both more durable by far and less compromised, would cost considerably less purchased at the same time.