We have reported on the rumor “coming soon” launching a foldable iPhone to year. There have been strong and reliable rumors that a foldable iPhone is only two years away that goes back as far back as in 2018. Back then, reliable reports from them like CNBC said Apple would have a folded iPhone on the market by 2020.
It was 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 … and now it is planned to land in 2026 at the earliest.
So while rumors and reports from parts of suppliers and analysts warm up and appear to be more solid than ever, we will advise even more caution and skepticism than usual with Apple rumors. That said, that’s what the current rumors suggest about the release of a folded iPhone.
Update 21. July 2025: A report says iOS 27 development will focus on features for the folded iPhone.
Folding iPhone: Release Date
According to a number of reports, the large design and specs for Apple’s first folding phone must be completed in mid -2025 with production targeted towards the end of 2026. That would mean A launch late in 2026 or early 2027. So far, this timeline has been proposed by several sources in 2024 and 2025, including the information, the Wall Street Journal and analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman.
The phone is expected to be complex and expensive to manufacture, so production volume is likely to be very limited at first. ONE Second model at the end of 2027 Must see higher production numbers.
In July 2025, Gurman reported that Apple will focus on features for the folded iPhone in iOS 27, which will be released in the fall of 2026.
Folding iPhone: Design
By 2024, the information reported that Apple had created a few prototype “clamshell” flip telephone design, where the top and bottom of the phone fold to meet. Newer rumors in 2025 from Digital Chat Station at Weibo and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests one “Book” style foldWith a vertical fold as left and right sides fold to meet each other. This is a similar style like Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.
The folded iPhone can be a similar size like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Luke Baker
The hinge is expected to be one of its most unique features. Some reports have suggested that they will be made of a titanous alloy, while coup reported in March 2025 that Apple is exploring the use of liquid metal for “durability, improving screen surface and minimizing curly marks” on the screen. Apple has received several patents for hinge design, and it is unclear that the company will use in the final design.
On July 14, analyst Ming-Chi KU reported that Apple figured out how to get rid of the fold fold by using metal plates to help “distribute and control bending stress”, according to Kuo, who would help minimize the fling.
Folding iPhone: Size and Dimensions
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported on the folded iPhone’s set suggested design information. He says iPhone in Bogil will have one 7.8-inch inside the display when it is unfolded, and one 5.5 inch outer screen. Kuo says Apple will not be satisfied until the phone’s display is completely curly free when opened.
The collapsible phone is said to be highest 9.5 mm thick when folded and 4.5 mm when unfolded. In comparison, an iPhone 16 Pro is 8.5 mm thick and the thinnest iPhone over time was the iPhone 6 of 6.9 mm. The upcoming iPhone 17 air is expected to be about 6 mm thick and possibly as thin as 5.5 mm.
Folding iPhone: Specifications and Features
We do not know which processor the folding iPhone will contain, but if it is launched in 2026 as the rumor it will probably contain a A20 or A20 Pro—Nogen variant of the processor found in iPhone 18.
We expect most iPhones to use Apple’s own cellular modem and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chips Also at that time. They can even be integrated into the main system-on-chip.
The folded iPhone will reportedly have a touch-ID activated on / off button instead of face ID.
IDG
Due to the very thin character of the collapsible iPhone and the need for different front-facing cameras when folded up or unfolded, it will reportedly lack facial ID. Instead, Touch ID will be incorporated into the side button, just as it is on the iPad Air and Mini.
It is supposed to be Two rear cameras (probably a default wide and ultrawide) and Two front -facing camerasone more when the iPhone is folded closed and one more when open.
Bloomber’s Mark Urman reported in July 2025 that Apple will focus on features for the collapsible iPhone in iOS 27, which will be released in the fall of 2026.
Folding iPhone: Price
Expect the folded iPhone to be a very advanced Ultra-Premium model. The very first release is said to cost $ 2,000 or more and could start at $ 2,299, twice the highest end iPhone Pro Max ..