Other Rumoured iPhone fold size - concept drawing and renders

[Zackmd1]

Some 18 Pro and Foldable dummy models.

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Don’t know if it’s real, because the Foldable is not showing camera cutouts and MagSafe, while the Pro’s do have that.

I would be willing to bet that this is representative of the overall design. Makes sense for the camera plateau to be only 3/4 of the back since the hinge mechanism would take the rest of that space. Looks like the "front" display will have a bit more rounded edges then we are used to on an iPhone. Optimizing for an unfolded experience likely drove that design change to eliminate sharp edges when holding it unfolded.

Volume buttons are on top with the power/touch ID on the side. Interesting choice since iPhones used to have the opposite arrangement with power on top and volume on the side. Also interesting that this model lacks the magsafe ring. Likely just wasn't needed for this model.

 

[blairh]

Some 18 Pro and Foldable dummy models.

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Don’t know if it’s real, because the Foldable is not showing camera cutouts and MagSafe, while the Pro’s do have that.

Sonny's dummies for the iPhone 17 line were accurate 6 months prior to launch.

My main takeaway here is that the foldable has volume buttons on the top. I really hope that will be what we end up getting.

 

[terminator-jq]

The microphone on the back has a lot more holes than any other iPhone or iPad. Any guesses as to why that could be?

Volume buttons on top makes perfect sense for using in phone or tablet mode. It will suck to loose the action button though.

 

[blairh]

Here's a video of the dummies. No action button? Seems unlikely. Also very small holes on the top and bottom of the device. For the stereo speakers?

 

[endawmyke]

Here's a video of the dummies. No action button? Seems unlikely. Also very small holes on the top and bottom of the device. For the stereo speakers?

Camera control but no action button seems really off to me…

 

[endawmyke]

Hey check it out, first article i've ever seen actually mention that those "leaked dimensions" were actually iZac's mockup.

iPhone Fold Expected to Launch on Time in September Despite Delay Rumors

Apple's iPhone Fold development is progressing smoothly and the device is set to launch during the standard September iPhone timeframe, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The iPhone Fold will be available for sale "around the same time" or "soon after" the iPhone 18 Pro models.

www.macrumors.com

 

[terminator-jq]

Here's a video of the dummies. No action button? Seems unlikely. Also very small holes on the top and bottom of the device. For the stereo speakers?

Interesting video. The leaker is credible. With such limited space, I think the removal of the action button makes sense though I will miss it. A few other interesting details from the video:

1. It looks like the USB-C port will be on the top half when closed and the left side when open.

2. Top speakers and bottom speakers are on opposite halves so we should get decent stereo effect when opened.

 

[endawmyke]

Interesting video. The leaker is credible. With such limited space, I think the removal of the action button makes sense though I will miss it. A few other interesting details from the video:

1. It looks like the USB-C port will be on the top half when closed and the left side when open.

2. Top speakers and bottom speakers are on opposite halves so we should get decent stereo effect when opened.

to your point 1, having the usb C port on the flat panel of the phone that doesn't have camera bump helps in these clamp on usb c controllers so it seats correctly, and it'll have the screen near the top instead of the bottom. like in pic attached:

probably not apple's intention specifically but it does help in this situation, which i'd love. I heard DS and 3DS emulation is pretty good on iphone and it would get even better with one of these kinda things

 

[iZac]

Here's a video of the dummies. No action button? Seems unlikely. Also very small holes on the top and bottom of the device. For the stereo speakers?

No action button is weird, unless (fingers crossed) they will allow the camera control to be mappable to different functions.

The asymmetric speaker cutouts is also odd, although I guess the top one might double as a headset speaker and also allows an equally asymmetric stereo sound when opened in portrait - so I can see this as being a “good enough” solution rather than having 4 speakers like an iPad Pro.

One side of those holes on the bottom edge will undoubtedly be a microphone too.

Also note there is an asymmetric metal edge on the left for the front screen, maybe they’ve had issues of it bending and cracking the front glass along that left edge, or maybe it’s just to fit the hinge in.

Interesting, I’ll having to finish off my model updates. Still not sure if it’ll be a glass back, or just no MagSafe - the black coloured camera bump will be a strange material junction glass to glass with that smooth bump a-la my render test a couple of pages back.

 

[blairh]

Let me say this about MagSafe. Previously I would have been very adamant that it needed to be included. And I think for the general consumer it would benefit them to have it included inside the device itself, as not everyone wants to use a case. (Even though most people do.)

With that established, I'm done going caseless as long as iPhones aren't grippy by nature. I stopped using a case with the 15 Plus on launch day. I was not using a case on my 17. Then I dropped it a few months ago onto concrete, and the back got scuffed up. I'll be using silicone cases moving forward unless there comes a day where we get an iPhone with a silicone or fake leather backing. (Highly unlikely.)

 

[endawmyke]

Let me say this about MagSafe. Previously I would have been very adamant that it needed to be included. And I think for the general consumer it would benefit them to have it included inside the device itself, as not everyone wants to use a case. (Even though most people do.)

With that established, I'm done going caseless as long as iPhones aren't grippy by nature. I stopped using a case with the 15 Plus on launch day. I was not using a case on my 17. Then I dropped it a few months ago onto concrete, and the back got scuffed up. I'll be using silicone cases moving forward unless there comes a day where we get an iPhone with a silicone or fake leather backing. (Highly unlikely.)

MagSafe is practically a requirement for me since I use the pop socket MagSafe version. The fold might be tiny enough that I don’t need it. But the kickstand feature would be so clutch for unfolded mode. So I’m conflicted.

I wish Apple would bring back leather, it felt so much better than the tech woven. They could do a plant leather like Apple leather or cactus leather too. The pattern on the techwoven and the older finewoven makes the hairs on my neck stand up, it’s so unsettling.

 

[Ralfi]

I guess my main concern is the height when folded. I’m picturing the keyboard taking up too much real estate in this config.

Oh & of course the durability of the unfolded screen.

 

[blairh]

I guess my main concern is the height when folded. I’m picturing the keyboard taking up too much real estate in this config.

I feel like the height of the original iPhone to the iPhone 5S wasn't an issue with respect to the keyboard.

 

[blairh]

Received my 3D printed folding iPhone today. I've taken some photos of it alongside my iPhone 17.

Some observations....

Apple really needs to place the Touch ID button on the right edge. It would be very awkward to reach to the top right of the device each time to unlock it.

The outer screen is going to be a joy to type on. It's also awesome how I can easily reach the very top of the screen.

I feel as if there is plenty of room to include an Action button above the Touch ID button on the right edge.

The inner screen is going to be awesome for browsing, Reddit, and any video content.

I think this model will be a success, and Apple will create a larger version (in due time) to go alongside this version. Think iPhone Ultra and iPhone Ultra Max.

 

[Ralfi]

I feel like the height of the original iPhone to the iPhone 5S wasn't an issue with respect to the keyboard.

I see your comparison. But I think today’s web is much different in that there’s a lot more information on web pages that you don’t want to have covered up by a keyboard. Mainly thinking of things like YouTube, where you want to comment whilst still watching the live feed video. I might be overplaying this, as Apple should find a way to scale things down to fit it all in without the keyboard taking up half the screen…it is wider, so that could help with managing the height?

 

[blairh]

I see your comparison. But I think today’s web is much different in that there’s a lot more information on we pages that you don’t want to have covered up by a keyboard. Mainly thinking of things like YouTube, where you want to comment whilst still watching the live feed video. I might be overplaying this, as Apple should find a way to scale things down to fit it all in without the keyboard taking up half the screen…it is wider, so that could help with managing the height?

I think the width helps. But personally I don’t envision myself ever watching YouTube on this thing with it closed.

 

[Ralfi]

I think the width helps. But personally I don’t envision myself ever watching YouTube on this thing with it closed.

Fair enough. Though there’s also forums where if you want to scroll back up to quote more replies whilst having the keyboard up, you’ll have a smaller window to view the page. I’m curious how Apple’s UI handles things like this. It’s an exciting time for IOS users looking for a change of form factor. I’ll be looking out for your impressions.

 

[Ralfi]

Btw, thanks for the renders OP. Kept scrolling hoping for a standard iPhone 17 to be included in the comparison 🙏🏼

 

[iZac]

Received my 3D printed folding iPhone today. I've taken some photos of it alongside my iPhone 17.

Some observations....

Apple really needs to place the Touch ID button on the right edge. It would be very awkward to reach to the top right of the device each time to unlock it.

The outer screen is going to be a joy to type on. It's also awesome how I can easily reach the very top of the screen.

I feel as if there is plenty of room to include an Action button above the Touch ID button on the right edge.

The inner screen is going to be awesome for browsing, Reddit, and any video content.

I think this model will be a success, and Apple will create a larger version (in due time) to go alongside this version. Think iPhone Ultra and iPhone Ultra Max.

This is fantastic - I did the same thing years ago for the iPhone 12 mini, buying a dummy unit in Taobao. It gave me months to acclimatise to a bigger iPhone than my Gen 1 SE.

I’m curious if it feels stable (not top heavy) when held one handed?

If I do end up getting this phone I’ve resigned myself to the thought that I’ll have to use the compact keyboard mode shifted to one side.

 

[blairh]

This is fantastic - I did the same thing years ago for the iPhone 12 mini, buying a dummy unit in Taobao. It gave me months to acclimatise to a bigger iPhone than my Gen 1 SE.

I’m curious if it feels stable (not top heavy) when held one handed?

If I do end up getting this phone I’ve resigned myself to the thought that I’ll have to use the compact keyboard mode shifted to one side.

Top heavy? As in potentially with that camera bar?

Yeah, I think most people are going to need to use the one-handed keyboard mode if they want to type with one hand. Perhaps Apple will tweak that setting in iOS 27 to better accommodate the folding iPhone outer screen size.

 

[iZac]

Top heavy? As in potentially with that camera bar?

Yeah, I think most people are going to need to use the one-handed keyboard mode if they want to type with one hand. Perhaps Apple will tweak that setting in iOS 27 to better accommodate the folding iPhone outer screen size.

Ah, yeah I meant that when someone cradles a phone in their hands, their index finger sits as high as is comfortable. I found when I've tried a Pro Max it feels really unstable because my finger as a fulcrum point is so low on the back of the phone.

I may have to get my own one 3D printed too, to have a go. Which online service did you use? I think you must be in the UK as well, with the great "Prosser the tosser" comment I think you made a while back.

 

[blairh]

Ah, yeah I meant that when someone cradles a phone in their hands, their index finger sits as high as is comfortable. I found when I've tried a Pro Max it feels really unstable because my finger as a fulcrum point is so low on the back of the phone.

I may have to get my own one 3D printed too, to have a go. Which online service did you use? I think you must be in the UK as well, with the great "Prosser the tosser" comment I think you made a while back.

Okay, gotcha. So when held with one hand, I find my index finger rests comfortably right below the camera bar. With two hands (which is how I usually use my iPhone), both index fingers are comfortably to the left and right of the Apple logo.

I purchased my 3D model on Etsy here. I'm in the States. Not sure if he ships to the UK, but he was a great seller.

 

[Webcat86]

MagSafe is practically a requirement for me since I use the pop socket MagSafe version. The fold might be tiny enough that I don’t need it. But the kickstand feature would be so clutch for unfolded mode. So I’m conflicted.

I wish Apple would bring back leather, it felt so much better than the tech woven. They could do a plant leather like Apple leather or cactus leather too. The pattern on the techwoven and the older finewoven makes the hairs on my neck stand up, it’s so unsettling.

Plant leather is just marketing. Environmentally it’s a bad choice because it’s basically coated in plastic. I agree they should bring back leather, it was so much nicer

 

[terminator-jq]

Full specs for the Huawei pura x Max, the first wide fold of the year are now available. I’m definitely thinking this is just the beginning of the trend and there may be several more including Samsungs own wide fold.

The pura x max spec that has me most excited is stylus support. We’ve seen this feature return for several foldables this year including the Motorola and the Oppo. Samsung is also heavily rumored to bring back the S-Pen for the Z Fold 8 / 8 Wide. Let’s hope Apple will follow the trend with some sort of mini Apple Pencil.

 

[blairh]

The Huawei Pura X Max is essentially identical in height and width to what @iZac created. (But a little thicker, 11.2mm vs 9.6mm.)

Watching videos of this device on YouTube, I truly think this is the perfect form factor.

I would really like to see Apple release a TriFold at some point. Then I could even replace my iPad.