Six Things to Know About Apple's Upcoming Foldable iPhone

[Nibo10]

WHY? So not needed.

There's a difference between "I don't need it" and "It's not needed" (by others).

 

[kamyk35]

We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for almost a decade now, but it looks like we might finally see the device come to fruition in 2026. We're going to be waiting many more months for the foldable iPhone, but so far we're hearing good things.

1. Apple wants to make it creaseless. It's taken Apple multiple years to design a foldable iPhone that it's satisfied with because Apple wants to get away from the pesky crease that impacts most foldable smartphones on the market. Apple is aiming for an entirely creaseless look so you won't be distracted by a visible line going through the middle of the display.
   
2. It'll open like a book. Based on the myriad rumors we've heard, Apple experimented with multiple designs. There was talk last year that Apple would go with a clamshell design that opens top to bottom, like the Galaxy Z Flip. That's possibly something we'll see in the future, but now it's sounding like Apple's first foldable iPhone will have the book-like design we've seen in foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold. iOS isn't designed for a horizontal orientation, so this is going to require some major software updates. Apple is rumored to be working to redesign iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 to be more consistent cross-platform, and that kind of design would work well when you need an operating system that works seamlessly in both vertical and horizontal orientations.
   
3. For size, imagine the iPad mini. When it's closed, Apple's foldable iPhone is rumored to have a 5.5-inch outer display, which is smaller than current iPhone models that start at 6.1 inches. When opened, though, it will be 7.8 inches, which isn't too far off from the old 7.9-inch iPad mini. Picture the iPad mini in horizontal orientation, or put two 6.1-inch iPhones side by side to get an idea of how big the display might be.
   
4. It's going to be thick and thin. Apple is going to use some iPhone 17 Air tech for the foldable iPhone, and it could be as thin as 4.8mm when it's opened up. That's even thinner than the 5.1-inch 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which is Apple's thinnest device to date. When closed, though, it'll be somewhere around 9mm to 9.5mm, which is chunky.
   
5. It might have Touch ID. This is a weird one, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple might use a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. If Apple can't slim down that front-facing TrueDepth camera module enough to get the screen to an acceptable thinness, Touch ID could work instead.
   
6. It's going to cost you. Foldable smartphones are far from cheap, even from Android manufacturers. Apple's version is going to be expensive, with rumors suggesting it will be priced somewhere around $2,000 to $2,500.

These are just the current rumors, and in the years before a device actually launches, information can be all over the place due to Apple's experimentation. The details we're hearing are starting to firm up, but there could be changes before it comes out. And given Apple's track record lately, it might never be released.

Right now, it looks like we could get the first foldable iPhone right around late 2026, so we might be hearing more in the coming months as we get into the 2026 iPhone rumor cycle.

Article Link: Six Things to Know About Apple's Upcoming Foldable iPhone

I would never buy it, I just don't see the attraction or need, however at 9mm (rumoured) is not exactly chunky, the thinnest one is 8.9mm

 

[PowerButton]

At the park? Unlikely. Plus if you’re going to go to that much trouble, an iPad is stupid and completely worthless compared to a full computer multi monitor setup.

Ahhh, I miss understood you.
If I was walking my dog at the park I wouldn’t have the need for anything bigger than my phone.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

What I understand is that they’re off their game and no indication that anything Earth shattering is changing that anytime soon. They’re in a downward trend and if you can’t see that, don’t know what else to say.

Agree to disagree.

 

[Joshuaorange]

Ahhh, I miss understood you.
If I was walking my dog at the park I wouldn’t have the need for anything bigger than my phone.

I’d bet if you had something bigger at the park, you’d use it.

 

[Naraxus]

Meh. It's got an apple on it. There's no innovation (not that I'd want that god aweful thing). Pass.

It hasn't even been released yet much less announced and you can say with confidence and certainty that there is no innovation to be had? Interesting.

 

[Hemingray]

Take me back to the days of the iPhone 4S (size-wise).

 

[iPrabhu]

What problem are they trying to solve?
It’s like what they did with iPhone 6 - Entered the large screen phone market for sake of it and ended up with Bendgate. It feels like this will be another non-issue they are trying to solve for sake of foldable phones

 

[Padriac]

As someone who has used a foldable phone (specifically the Z Fold 5), I can attest that the experience is fundamentally different. The core appeal of a book-style foldable is having one device in your pocket at all times that instantly transforms into a larger screen when needed. This echoes the adage that the best camera is the one you actually have with you.

Using the Z Fold 5, it was incredibly convenient to unfold a larger screen whenever I wanted—at a coffee shop, during my lunch break at work, or simply relaxing on the sofa watching a game. I could simultaneously watch the game, follow a Reddit live stream, and browse the web, all without ever needing to reach for a separate iPad. It's this constant availability and flexibility in a single device that truly sets the foldable experience apart.

This assumes I always have a phone in my pocket, which I do not. If I have to get up either way, I’m reaching for the larger screen every time so the phone or foldable would get ignored (especially since the foldable only expands to baby-tablet size either way)

 

[Shirasaki]

It sounds like it will be a good $3000 CAD. Yikes.

And a healthy 25% tax on top when it is released.

 

[mickobizzle]

.

 

[Heinzja]

“Good luck with the 25% tax” Foxconn is a major global manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, including motherboards. In addition to Apple, Foxconn manufactures products for several other prominent technology companies in the United States. Some (very largest) of these include: Dell, HP, Microsoft, Sony, NVIDIA...
Apple does not have to worry... (imho)

 

[I7guy]

Could have opened the article with:”it’s going to cost you”

 

[bushman4]

Too many variables up in the air with at least a year to go till availability
Hopefully Apple comes up with a superior product worth $2000-$2500

 

[Zorori]

As someone who has used a foldable phone (specifically the Z Fold 5), I can attest that the experience is fundamentally different. The core appeal of a book-style foldable is having one device in your pocket at all times that instantly transforms into a larger screen when needed. This echoes the adage that the best camera is the one you actually have with you.

Similar experience with the Fold 6 -- I sold my iPad shortly afterwards. That being said, I fully expect Apple to price this as: iPhone + iPad...