Other Rumoured iPhone fold size - concept drawing and renders

[Pug72]

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.

I like the idea of a mini Apple Pencil, but I do worry about durability of the flexible screen.

 

[terminator-jq]

The new Max tech video show a thicccc camera plateau on the ultra. I wonder if the variable aperture camera from the 18 Pro / Pro Max will make the jump to the ultra as well. Makes no sense calling it ultra when we are already giving up the telephoto and lidar. Hopefully we can get the main camera sensor upgrades as the Pro / Pro max.

 

[blairh]

* I have edited my original post and changed the height of the Ultra. I mistakenly referenced the number Vadim measured as the height when in reality he was attempting to measure only the screen itself. *

Alright everyone.

So we have a lot of new important info about the Ultra. Thanks to Max Tech's new video.

(I'm going to assume his dummy is the real deal.)

I also reached out to Vadim, and he was nice enough to tell me the two measurements that were missing in his video. (Width closed and open.)

Let's compare @iZac drawing versus Vadim's. All measurements are in mm.

iZac: 120.6 (Height) - 83.8 & 167.6 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.6 & 4.8 (Depth Closed & Open)

Vadim: 117.5 (Height) - 84.1 & 163.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11 & 5.6 (Depth Closed & Open)

So in the end, @iZac's render is remarkably close to what we are going to get from Apple. He was just a touch too tall and a touch too thin. Well done sir!! 🥳

The Vadim video also confirms button placements. I actually think Camera Control is going to be far more useful in landscape mode when the device is closed versus previous iterations.

It also appears the volume buttons are confirmed to be on top and the power button on the right side. No Action button. No MagSafe (potentially).

And speakers are on the top left and bottom right when the device is open. Which I think is great.

Let's also compare these specs with the Pura X Max and the Galaxy Fold Wide.

Pura X Max: 120 (Height) - 85 & 166.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11.2 & 5.2 (Depth Closed & Open)

Galaxy Wide: 123.9 (Height) - 82.8 & 161.4 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.8 & 4.3 (Depth Closed & Open)

These four devices are all extremely close in size. The biggest outlier being the difference in height between the Ultra and Galaxy Wide Fold. (The Galaxy is 1/3" taller.)

 

[HouseLannister]

And speakers are on the top left and bottom right when the device is open.

That's what Google did with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
The idea is that no matter which way you hold or rotate it, you are unlikely to cover up both speakers. Also, by positioning them on either side of the device, they offer a wider soundstage.
We shall see how well it sounds.

 

[iZac]

Alright everyone.

So we have a lot of new important info about the Ultra. Thanks to Max Tech's new video.

(I'm going to assume his dummy is the real deal.)

I also reached out to Vadim, and he was nice enough to tell me the two measurements that were missing in his video. (Width closed and open.)

Let's compare @iZac drawing versus Vadim's. All measurements are in mm.

iZac: 120.6 (Height) - 83.8 & 167.6 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.6 & 4.8 (Depth Closed & Open)

Vadim: 111.5 (Height) - 84.1 & 163.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11 & 5.6 (Depth Closed & Open)

So in the end, @iZac's render is remarkably close to what we are going to get from Apple. He was just a touch too tall and a touch too thin. Well done sir!! 🥳

The Vadim video also confirms button placements. I actually think Camera Control is going to be far more useful in landscape mode when the device is closed versus previous iterations.

It also appears the volume buttons are confirmed to be on top and the power button on the right side. No Action button. No MagSafe.

And speakers are on the top left and bottom right when the device is open. Which I think is great.

Let's also compare these specs with the Pura X Max and the Galaxy Fold Wide.

Pura X Max: 120 (Height) - 85 & 166.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11.2 & 5.2 (Depth Closed & Open)

Galaxy Wide: 123.9 (Height) - 82.8 & 161.4 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.8 & 4.3 (Depth Closed & Open)

These four devices are all extremely close in size. The biggest outlier being the difference in height between the folding iPhone and Galaxy Wide Fold. (The Galaxy is 1/2" taller.)

This is amazing work, you’re incredibly motivated to get the size nailed down. I’m away this weekend but I think this gives enough confidence that I’ll give my renders another tweak. It’s nice to know it might be shorter than I had anticipated - 111.5mm - that’s shorter than an iPhone 4, fantastic!

 

[blairh]

This is amazing work, you’re incredibly motivated to get the size nailed down. I’m away this weekend but I think this gives enough confidence that I’ll give my renders another tweak. It’s nice to know it might be shorter than I had anticipated - 111.5mm - that’s shorter than an iPhone 4, fantastic!

It will be the shortest iPhone in iPhone history. Which is wild 😲

 

[Zackmd1]

Something tells me that while fold model might be close to the real thing, it's not a 1 for 1 like the 18 pro and pro max models. While Apple could drop MagSafe (iPads don't have MagSafe for instance), I find this hard to believe unless this thing has a unibody aluminum/titanium chassis (which I absolutely would not mind). The fact that the flash indicator is not present on the fold model while it is present on the 18 pro models gives me some hope there. The model might be close but not feature complete.

It is interesting to me though that the thickness when unfolded is near identical to the iPhone Air and about 1mm thicker than all of the leaks. Again, either this represents an older design iteration or Apple chose to go thicker for better battery, etc... Either way, still thinking this is going to be a day one purchase for me unless the price is astronomical compared to other foldables....

 

[ofarlig]

Alright everyone.

So we have a lot of new important info about the Ultra. Thanks to Max Tech's new video.

(I'm going to assume his dummy is the real deal.)

I also reached out to Vadim, and he was nice enough to tell me the two measurements that were missing in his video. (Width closed and open.)

Let's compare @iZac drawing versus Vadim's. All measurements are in mm.

iZac: 120.6 (Height) - 83.8 & 167.6 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.6 & 4.8 (Depth Closed & Open)

Vadim: 111.5 (Height) - 84.1 & 163.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11 & 5.6 (Depth Closed & Open)

So in the end, @iZac's render is remarkably close to what we are going to get from Apple. He was just a touch too tall and a touch too thin. Well done sir!! 🥳

The Vadim video also confirms button placements. I actually think Camera Control is going to be far more useful in landscape mode when the device is closed versus previous iterations.

It also appears the volume buttons are confirmed to be on top and the power button on the right side. No Action button. No MagSafe.

And speakers are on the top left and bottom right when the device is open. Which I think is great.

Let's also compare these specs with the Pura X Max and the Galaxy Fold Wide.

Pura X Max: 120 (Height) - 85 & 166.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11.2 & 5.2 (Depth Closed & Open)

Galaxy Wide: 123.9 (Height) - 82.8 & 161.4 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.8 & 4.3 (Depth Closed & Open)

These four devices are all extremely close in size. The biggest outlier being the difference in height between the folding iPhone and Galaxy Wide Fold. (The Galaxy is 1/2" taller.)

I really doubt the dimensions are right, especially if it is supposed to lack MagSafe. 11 mm when closed would mean it is multiple generations old when it comes to foldable tech, I doubt Apple would release something that is a brick just because it uses old tech. I think they would want to enter the market strong instead.

And at that thickness there’s no point in skipping MagSafe since the Air at the same thickness manages to have it (and as we see from other manufacturers foldables can be made thinner than slabs).

 

[deuxani]

11 mm when closed would mean it is multiple generations old when it comes to foldable tech, I doubt Apple would release something that is a brick just because it uses old tech.

That was exactly my thinking when I saw his post on X, even though he said he was certain this is the real deal. Reasons why I don’t think it’s the final product:

- No cutout for cameras on the outer and inner screen, while the 18 dummies do have that
- No cutout for the flash, while it is clear something is missing from the camera plateau
- All the rumors have been saying it’s going to be around 4.5mm when open, which is already not the thinnest size on the market, 5.6mm would be ridiculous
- If it actually would be 5.6mm it would be the same thickness as the iPhone Air, so there would be no reason to not have Face ID
- If the camera plateau would be so thick, they could easily fit a telephoto camera instead of ultrawide

So enough reasons to strongly doubt this is a dummy of the finished product.

However…. hypothetically, would you guys prefer:

- 9mm with ultrawide and Touch ID
- 11mm with telephoto and Face ID

I would say 9mm!

 

[terminator-jq]

That was exactly my thinking when I saw his post on X, even though he said he was certain this is the real deal. Reasons why I don’t think it’s the final product:

- No cutout for cameras on the outer and inner screen, while the 18 dummies do have that
- No cutout for the flash, while it is clear something is missing from the camera plateau
- All the rumors have been saying it’s going to be around 4.5mm when open, which is already not the thinnest size on the market, 5.6mm would be ridiculous
- If it actually would be 5.6mm it would be the same thickness as the iPhone Air, so there would be no reason to not have Face ID
- If the camera plateau would be so thick, they could easily fit a telephoto camera instead of ultrawide

So enough reasons to strongly doubt this is a dummy of the finished product.

However…. hypothetically, would you guys prefer:

- 9mm with ultrawide and Touch ID
- 11mm with telephoto and Face ID

I would say 9mm!

They most likely want spatial photo capture ability which requires the standard and wide lens. Having a telephoto would be nice though. Honestly, I’d rather they bring over the new variable aperture from the 18 Pro. If we are loosing the third lens and loosing Lidar they can at least make the main lens as good as the Pro series.

As far as the measurements go, it may be the real deal but it may also be an older model. We know Apple has gone through several design iterations. It’s also possible that this really is the latest version and the leaked measurements before are from earlier models.

MagSafe could just be missing because it uses a different rear material than the pro models. The leaked molds from the iPhone 16 pro didn’t show MagSafe either but it obviously has it. A little trip down memory lane: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/04/iphone-16-design-showcased-by-dummy-models/

 

[Jeweller]

However…. hypothetically, would you guys prefer:

- 9mm with ultrawide and Touch ID
- 11mm with telephoto and Face ID

I would say 9mm!

11mm is fine as long as it has telephoto, Face ID, MagSafe, and everything else present in my current 15PM.

But if these new measurements are correct, I'm out. The height difference (111.5 vs 120.6) makes this thing significantly shorter than the prior dummy model, which would especially affect the overall outer screen area. I mean, am I missing something here? How much smaller would both screens be given these dimensions? I'm guessing the original dimensions are accurate, though, since competing companies are more or less going that size. I'm sure Samsung knows way in advance the final displays Apple will use in the Ultra, as they did with the Air, which is why they're always able to beat them to market with similar sized phones.

 

[blairh]

11mm is fine as long as it has telephoto, Face ID, MagSafe, and everything else present in my current 15PM.

But if these new measurements are correct, I'm out. The height difference (111.5 vs 120.6) makes this thing significantly shorter than the prior dummy model, which would especially affect the overall outer screen area. I mean, am I missing something here? How much smaller would both screens be given these dimensions? I'm guessing the original dimensions are accurate, though, since competing companies are more or less going that size. I'm sure Samsung knows way in advance the final displays Apple will use in the Ultra, as they did with the Air, which is why they're always able to beat them to market with similar sized phones.

.35" is enough to make this a dealbreaker for you?

I'm perfectly fine with 11mm. The Pura X Max is 11.2mm.

I'm also fine with no telephoto, MagSafe, and Face ID. Those things will come in future generations.

 

[Jeweller]

.35" is enough to make this a dealbreaker for you?

I'm perfectly fine with 11mm. The Pura X Max is 11.2mm.

I'm also fine with no telephoto, MagSafe, and Face ID. Those things will come in future generations.

Being 11mm thick and lacking all of those features ISN’T a dealbreaker for you? I’d say that at that thickness it should include MagSafe at the very least.

And I could likely live with a couple missing features I’ve grown accustomed to but…to answer your question, yes, as the further the size reduction of both screens, the less willing I am to want to live with those lack of features (not to mention price, screen crease, overall durability, etc) and just stick with the pros. Plus I know that I for one would use the outer screen a lot, and so any reduction to its size specifically turns me off.

 

[blairh]

Being 11mm thick and lacking all of those features ISN’T a dealbreaker for you? I’d say that at that thickness it should include MagSafe at the very least.

And I could likely live with a couple missing features I’ve grown accustomed to but…to answer your question, yes, as the further the size reduction of both screens, the less willing I am to want to live with those lack of features (not to mention price, screen crease, overall durability, etc) and just stick with the pros. Plus I know that I for one would use the outer screen a lot, and so any reduction to its size specifically turns me off.

Well that’s you. 11mm vs 9.6mm is not a big deal to me either. Nothing from Vadim’s dummy is a deal breaker for me personally.

 

[Jeweller]

Well that’s you. 11mm vs 9.6mm is not a big deal to me either. Nothing from Vadim’s dummy is a deal breaker for me personally.

Well that's you and fair enough. Let's hope that whatever they release it satisfies the both of us.

 

[ofarlig]

Well that’s you. 11mm vs 9.6mm is not a big deal to me either. Nothing from Vadim’s dummy is a deal breaker for me personally.

It’s not a dealbreaker for me either but it is kind of disappointing if Apple waited all this time to release something just to be that far behind the competition. I’ve had a few Galaxy Folds and the thickness is a big deal when it comes to the pocket feel, the Z Fold 7 was the first one that actually felt like a normal phone in the pocket instead of a brick.

 

[deuxani]

I can say that for me 11mm is definitely a dealbreaker if it doesn’t have Face ID. Not having Face ID is going to be an annoying compromise, which I can accept if the device is really slim, as it is a logical limitation of physics.

I’ve accepted the limitations of the iPhone Air because the feel in the hand, pocket and beauty has elevated the usage experience so much it is worth it. A foldable already has a lot of compromises, so 2mm thicker than current foldable flagships is a no go for me.

But yeah, we are not certain if it is going to be 9mm or 11mm.

 

[Zackmd1]

I can say that for me 11mm is definitely a dealbreaker if it doesn’t have Face ID. Not having Face ID is going to be an annoying compromise, which I can accept if the device is really slim, as it is a logical limitation of physics.

I’ve accepted the limitations of the iPhone Air because the feel in the hand, pocket and beauty has elevated the usage experience so much it is worth it. A foldable already has a lot of compromises, so 2mm thicker than current foldable flagships is a no go for me.

But yeah, we are not certain if it is going to be 9mm or 11mm.

Keep in mind that 5.6mm likely still isn’t enough depth for Face ID. The Air is 5.6mm at its thinnest point but Face ID is housed in the camera plateau giving it much more room to work with. The foldable won’t have this option. In addition, you would need either two Face ID modules or both Face ID and Touch ID for folded and unfolded configurations.

 

[deuxani]

Keep in mind that 5.6mm likely still isn’t enough depth for Face ID. The Air is 5.6mm at its thinnest point but Face ID is housed in the camera plateau giving it much more room to work with. The foldable won’t have this option. In addition, you would need either two Face ID modules or both Face ID and Touch ID for folded and unfolded configurations.

You are right, the Face ID module alone is already about 5 to 6mm thick, so they would never fit as there is only 1 camera plateau and it has 2 cameras in it already. OK, so it makes the choice simpler 🙂 9mm or no buy for me.

 

[blairh]

Face ID fails for me relatively often. I honestly don't see Touch ID as a compromise.

I know Face ID is more advanced tech, and most people prefer it over Touch ID. But I can't say having to use Touch ID is a concession for me personally.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but do you think Apple would simply make this foldable bigger in the future or instead release a 'Max' version instead to go alongside it? I'm leaning more towards a Max version at some point.

I also think they will do a tri-fold in, say, 2-3 years.

 

[subjonas]

Face ID fails for me relatively often. I honestly don't see Touch ID as a compromise.

I know Face ID is more advanced tech, and most people prefer it over Touch ID. But I can't say having to use Touch ID is a concession for me personally.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but do you think Apple would simply make this foldable bigger in the future or instead release a 'Max' version instead to go alongside it? I'm leaning more towards a Max version at some point.

I also think they will do a tri-fold in, say, 2-3 years.

I also have way more issues with Face ID than I had with Touch ID. They both have their pros and cons so I think it just comes down to the individual's preferences and situation. Eg. I often have my phone lying on a table next to me when I'm using my laptop or eating, and it's much more annoying having to pick it up or lean way over to unlock.

 

[Ludatyk]

Face ID fails for me relatively often. I honestly don't see Touch ID as a compromise.

I know Face ID is more advanced tech, and most people prefer it over Touch ID. But I can't say having to use Touch ID is a concession for me personally.

Yeah, I don’t think it’s a big deal either. We been using TouchID years before FaceID was a thing (heck, we still using it to this day with our Macs)… kind of hoping Apple gets to the point in adding an under-display finger reader. I think doing FaceID on both the inner and outer screens would be more expensive.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but do you think Apple would simply make this foldable bigger in the future or instead release a 'Max' version instead to go alongside it? I'm leaning more towards a Max version at some point.

I also think they will do a tri-fold in, say, 2-3 years.

I don’t think a ‘Max’ version is really needed… we are able to unfold the device and get a larger screen. I think there’s room for improvement before branching out to different versions. Getting the device thinner, improving on the battery tech, better cameras… and UDC.

And as much as I like tri-fold… I prefer the approach Huawei made with being able to use 3 different options (big tablet, mini tablet and phone) instead of Samsung big tablet and phone mode. If Samsung continues that approach then I’ll never be in the market for one.

 

[blairh]

Yeah, I don’t think it’s a big deal either. We been using TouchID years before FaceID was a thing (heck, we still using it to this day with our Macs)… kind of hoping Apple gets to the point in adding an under-display finger reader. I think doing FaceID on both the inner and outer screens would be more expensive.


I don’t think a ‘Max’ version is really needed… we are able to unfold the device and get a larger screen. I think there’s room for improvement before branching out to different versions. Getting the device thinner, improving on the battery tech, better cameras… and UDC.

And as much as I like tri-fold… I prefer the approach Huawei made with being able to use 3 different options (big tablet, mini tablet and phone) instead of Samsung big tablet and phone mode. If Samsung continues that approach then I’ll never be in the market for one.

Are you going to get the Ultra?

 

[Ludatyk]

Are you going to get the Ultra?

Well, I’m trying to convince my lady to get one lol. But it’s kind of a tough sell… when it’s missing the telephoto lens, so I’m not sure at this point. Hopefully when she actually see it in person that could entice her into giving it a shot.

But I’m looking to get the Samsung wide version of the foldable this year… I enjoy features Galaxy has to offer for me to jump ship to the iPhone.

 

[r_u_m]

Alright everyone.

So we have a lot of new important info about the Ultra. Thanks to Max Tech's new video.

(I'm going to assume his dummy is the real deal.)

I also reached out to Vadim, and he was nice enough to tell me the two measurements that were missing in his video. (Width closed and open.)

Let's compare @iZac drawing versus Vadim's. All measurements are in mm.

iZac: 120.6 (Height) - 83.8 & 167.6 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.6 & 4.8 (Depth Closed & Open)

Vadim: 111.5 (Height) - 84.1 & 163.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11 & 5.6 (Depth Closed & Open)

So in the end, @iZac's render is remarkably close to what we are going to get from Apple. He was just a touch too tall and a touch too thin. Well done sir!! 🥳

The Vadim video also confirms button placements. I actually think Camera Control is going to be far more useful in landscape mode when the device is closed versus previous iterations.

It also appears the volume buttons are confirmed to be on top and the power button on the right side. No Action button. No MagSafe.

And speakers are on the top left and bottom right when the device is open. Which I think is great.

Let's also compare these specs with the Pura X Max and the Galaxy Fold Wide.

Pura X Max: 120 (Height) - 85 & 166.5 (Width Closed & Open) - 11.2 & 5.2 (Depth Closed & Open)

Galaxy Wide: 123.9 (Height) - 82.8 & 161.4 (Width Closed & Open) - 9.8 & 4.3 (Depth Closed & Open)

These four devices are all extremely close in size. The biggest outlier being the difference in height between the folding iPhone and Galaxy Wide Fold. (The Galaxy is 1/2" taller.)

I think the measurements he gave you are the screen dimensions, not the device dimension

Because in this post on x, he compared the 111.5mm of the Ultra to the 71mm of the Pro Max. 71mm is the height of the 17 Pro Max screen height when it’s in landscape, not the height of the whole device which is 78mm.

So if we assume the rest of the measurements he gave you are also screen measurements:

iZac:
- 115.3 & 113.9 (Height Closed & Open)
- 78.5 & 160.9 (Width Closed & Open)
- 9.6 & 4.8 (Depth Closed & Open)

Vadim:
- 111.5 (Height Open)
- 84.1 & 163.5 (Width Closed & Open)
- 11 & 5.5 (Depth Closed & Open)

Maybe you could confirm this with him?

I doubt the width of the folded screen is 84.1mm. Maybe for this one he used the width of the whole device?