For two thumb typing yeah. For QuickPath, smaller keyboards are actually better, like iPhone Mini width. I have a Pro Max but I use QuickPath and one-handed as much as possible, so I have the keyboard set to right-handed. If I got the foldable, I would do the same.
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Other Rumoured iPhone fold size - concept drawing and renders
- Thread starter iZac
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On the iPhone's landscape keyboard, the emoji and dictate buttons are next to the keyboard, not below it. Maybe Apple will use that layout for the Fold's outer screen as well, to gain back some vertical space?
Interesting idea.
iOS already has a more squished keyboard for one handed typing that shifts to the side. The tightest I imagine that’d be usable is the iPhone 13 mini keyboard to one side.
So I screenshotted that and centered it so the buttons are on either side.
It helps a bit with content space but I think ultimately is too cramped. Not sure I could see Apple doing this as a default.
You're right, this looks stupid LOL.
Maybe they turn those two buttons into "normal" keys in the space bar row, like on iPad. That is a bit cramped though:
Maybe. It seems more feasible than the other thing, and as you said, it's an existing iPad function. This device would likely be a little wider than iPhone pro max so it could have space.
Hey that's awesome! I'm glad I'm not the only one obsessed with the size of this thing. Yeah it would be similar to the original iPhone. It'll be a bit better for me since I turned of the predictive text when they first introduced it, for that very reason - wasted space.
Wow. I'm so excited to finally have someone else to talk about this with. I'm usually on 9to5mac and no one there has used any critical thinking skills to see how these two screen sizes could possibly work. Also, second the notion that both 9to5 and macrumors should be getting you more attention and using your renders instead of the dumb ones they have that don't even try to match real world measures.
So awesome renders and nice work.
This was what I came up with before I saw you post. I thought I was the only one even poking around at this but I think we basically had the same journey. Both iPhone mini fans who got obsessed with the idea that maybe a folding phone could be an iPhone mini substitute once the 5.5" outside screen rumor came out. But then I had to see if that actually makes sense and then realized it couldn't work with the iPhone mini aspect ratio.
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The fun part for me was that I didn't see any leaked resolution posts or aspect ratio posts. So to play around with different aspect ratios that could make sense I used chatGPT to help make a web app that I can put in fixed diagonals and then drag a corner tool around to try out different combinations of aspect ratios and then fill in extra space for the amount of screen that could be from just the hinge space.
So then once I realized there's not as many possibilities as I thought their might be and that the width of this short outer display matches closely to the iPhone pro max models and the aspect of the inner screen was close to iPad mini then it kind of made sense as the only option.
Personally still pretty torn as an iPhone mini person. I guess I'll withhold final judgment until I see it in person.
- Top priority for me is one handed use as a day to day phone. 13 mini is really nice to hold. Not too wide.
- two cameras is important to me. Mini has it. I guess so does this.
- Water resistance is really important to me. So if there's a compromise in that this is a no. I take my mini in water often and get cool shots.
- I assume battery life will be better than iPhone 13 mini... but how much better?
- Will it have Apple Pencil support? It'd be a great mini sketch book.
I'm humbled that so many of you are suggesting MacRumours use my renders, I'd just be happy if they did their own with the rumoured sizes in mind - anything to stop them using the dodgy one they have that's completely the wrong size. My renders are grainy and low-res because I've been using Unreal Engine to do them. Although it's great for doing real-time rendering, as a consequence it goes a bit fuzzy.
I think I had a similar (although less efficient) process as you, fiddling around with aspect ratios in a CAD package. Good job on using ChatGPT for something actually useful!
Although it would be fantastic to have pencil support, seeing JerryRigEverything scratch these kinds of screens with a fingernail, I'd seriously doubt it would be feasible. Of course Apple might have some black magic up their sleeve, who knows.
I'll definitely get a new battery for my mini in the meantime - but like you I'm torn. I know it's going to be really wide, maybe the offset keyboard option will help since this fold should basically be the same height as an iPhone 5 / SE1 - just much wider. It might at least feel like it won't topple out of my hand.
Pure copium - as the kids probably don't say.
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Impresive work from OP and Kaplag. I haven't read the entire post, but any way that the dimensions of this don't look soooo...square when it's not unfolded? Seeing some of the screen renders I find it hard to believe apple would want that experience for an app as important as messages. I know they like a certain resolution to hit their PPI targets but I have to think there is another way.
Having said that I still believe the original google fold had a great shape, its "passport" style size was a great blend of outer screen use and great internal screen space.
Having said that I still believe the original google fold had a great shape, its "passport" style size was a great blend of outer screen use and great internal screen space.
I wonder, since the folded screen will be so short and wide, if for one-handed usability, along with the right/left-side keyboard option, Apple might modify the Reachability feature to be horizontal instead of vertical. So instead of swiping down on the bottom edge of the screen to be able to reach the top, you would swipe right on the right edge of the screen to reach the left (or vice versa).
As a current 16 Pro Max user, the height of the folding iPhone will be such a great change. Lord do I hate reaching up on my current iPhone.
I think it might only have one camera just like the iPhone 17 'Air' to keep thing elegant and simple. But yeah I am now looking at my iPhone 16 Pro Max in horizontal and thinking it folding in half - it totally make sense. The selling point for this is certainly a powerful multi-tasking device in your pocket.
This is amazing, fantastic job!
I'm happy to know it feels more stable in the hand than the current 'small' 6.1" phones. I guess our iPhone mini's will never be truly replaced, but at least I still have a year to come to terms with it.
Hey awesome job on the renders AND the 3D prints.
Hey @iZac - have you given permission for sites to use your renders? I've noticed a few sites have your images being used for the Fold. Just search for "iPhone fold render" and scroll down the images. Just FYI.
Just my 2 penneth on the messages layout - like already mentioned they're likely to streamline the wasted space in the bottom bar and the predictive suggestions. But it also crossed my mind that they are allegedly moving to a pin hole camera in the top left of the device - that would leave the top of the screen free for more messages real estate - or at least far less padding than is required at the moment for the status bar. Potentially also remove some of the padding on top and bottom of the keys to reduce overall pixel height of the keyboard. Reduce the native size of the messages as well to allow more to be seen - the display resolution can handle that.
Hey @iZac - have you given permission for sites to use your renders? I've noticed a few sites have your images being used for the Fold. Just search for "iPhone fold render" and scroll down the images. Just FYI.
Just my 2 penneth on the messages layout - like already mentioned they're likely to streamline the wasted space in the bottom bar and the predictive suggestions. But it also crossed my mind that they are allegedly moving to a pin hole camera in the top left of the device - that would leave the top of the screen free for more messages real estate - or at least far less padding than is required at the moment for the status bar. Potentially also remove some of the padding on top and bottom of the keys to reduce overall pixel height of the keyboard. Reduce the native size of the messages as well to allow more to be seen - the display resolution can handle that.
Ah yes, thanks for giving me a heads up! I spotted them on Toms Guide first I think, and it got scraped by a few other sites. Since I put them on Youtube too I feel it's fair for people to repost them, they are at least crediting my Youtube channel name. I'm happy they're good enough to make the rounds and help people understand the potential size, to be honest.
It actually happened once before when I was so eager to know how big the iPhone mini was going to be that I bought a dummy unit off Taobao! Apparently a writer for Toms Guide likes to lurk on the MacRumours forums
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File is accessible below! Macrumors does not allow direct upload of STLs apparently.
drive.google.com
iPhone Fold - Google Drive
drive.google.com
I have no indication of the truth that Apple are making a Fold device.
However, if they did manufacture one, I would be curious are Apple making one purely because Samsung has one, or is it that there is a market/consumer need for this...
However, if they did manufacture one, I would be curious are Apple making one purely because Samsung has one, or is it that there is a market/consumer need for this...
Personally I love the concept of a foldable phone. Initially I thought a flip style would be better in order to get a more compact phone. After trying both a moto razor and then a pixel fold though, the book style foldable is more beneficial.
I think a lot of people’s negative opinions on foldables is due to the lack luster hardware that has dominated the space. Everything that has been available thus far have felt like prototypes or proof of concept devices. The Galaxy Fold 7 is the first foldable I have come across that feels like an actual product and not a prototype. I can imagine Apple’s implementation being the same if not better because of the extra year of development.
The question then becomes, why wouldn’t you want a multi use device? A phone that becomes a tablet when you need it is very handy and a much better solution to a large screen pro max type device.
Hmm, you do have a few valid points.
For me, the Fold 7 does look nice. Albeit, I am not a social media user (X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky), and would only really benefit when watching YouTube (which I do quite often).
For the moment, I am still on the fence. I suppose, time will tell...