Apple’s iPhone Fold: What Are The Leaks?
Image Credit: https://www.youtube.com/@bob_obba/
Apple has long been rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone, often referred to as the iPhone Fold. The question has never been whether Apple would enter the foldable market, but when. Recent leaks and analyst reports suggest the company may be closer than ever, though details remain speculative. Here’s a look at the most notable rumors so far.
The Anticipated Arrival: 2026 or 2027?
One of the most important details about the iPhone Fold is its release date. While some reports initially targeted a 2026 debut, more recent leaks suggest Apple might push the release to 2027. This delay is rumored to be all about perfecting critical components like the hinge mechanism and ensuring the folding display is tough enough.
We’ve also gotten reports from Digital Chat Station on Weibo that Apple might still be trying to choose a provider for the batteries of the device.
Design: A Book-Style Foldable
The prevailing expectation is a book-style foldable form factor, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold. This approach allows the device to open from a standard phone size into a mini‑tablet, offering a larger canvas for apps and media.
Apple is rumored to be pushing for an exceptionally thin profile, potentially slimmer than the iPhone Air according to 9to5Mac. Leaks suggest a hybrid titanium‑aluminum frame that could measure as little as 4.5 mm when unfolded and around 9mm when closed. It has been described as “two iPhone Air’s side-by-side.”
On the display side, reports point to a 7.58‑inch internal folding screen paired with a 5.38‑inch external cover display. Fans of the passport-style form factor of the original Pixel Fold might have to watch Apple make the sequel to that device they wished Google would deliver. A 5.38-inch cover display with a 7.58-inch inner screen is basically an iPhone Mini that opens up into an iPad Mini. The cover display could end up looking extremely square with the inner screen being more like a normal tablet, in a reversal from every other OEM’s strategy.
Apple is also said to be exploring advanced hinge technologies, including liquid metal, to minimize or eliminate the crease that has been seen on rival foldables. Samsung Display is widely believed to be the exclusive supplier of the flexible OLED panels.
Optics: Four Cameras
Cameras remain one of the defining features of any iPhone, and the iPhone Fold is expected to carry a total of four. Two 48MP rear sensors will anchor the setup, though it’s still uncertain whether the secondary lens will be Ultra Wide or Telephoto. On the front, Apple is rumored to include one camera for use when the device is folded and another when it’s unfolded, ensuring flexibility across different modes. The front system may adopt Apple’s new Center Stage technology introduced with the iPhone 17, potentially appearing in a hole‑punch design—or even without a visible cutout at all.
Speaking of the selfie camera, Apple’s flagship iPhones have long included Face ID, dating back to the iPhone X almost a decade ago. But despite the iPhone Fold’s expected ultra‑premium price, leaks suggest Apple may rely on Touch ID instead. The sensor would likely be built into the side button, similar to the iPad Air. Analysts believe this move isn’t just about cost, it’s more likely driven by space constraints, since including two sets of Face ID components (one for the outer display and another for the inner) would add bulk to an already complex design.
Image Credit: https://www.youtube.com/@bob_obba/
Under the Hood: Specs and Price Tag
What kind of performance should we expect? The foldable is anticipated to use Apple’s latest A-series chip, possibly an A20 Pro, ensuring flagship-level speed. Battery life will be essential to power those two screens, and one leak suggest capacities are being tested in the 5,000mAh to 5,500mAh range. This would put it in range of or even beyond the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and well past the battery size of the Z Fold 7 if true. Give Apple’s historic use of smaller batteries, it feels unlikely that Apple will be able to match iPad Mini battery size in a foldable.
Finally, let’s talk price. Given the complex engineering and premium components, analysts are predicting a high price tag, likely ranging from $1,999 to $2,500.
Software
While hardware leaks dominate the conversation, software may be just as important for the iPhone Fold. Apple hasn’t revealed anything concrete, but we can make educated guesses based on existing platforms. iPhones run iOS, optimized for one‑handed use and smaller screens, while iPads use iPadOS, designed to take advantage of larger displays with multitasking and split‑screen features.
The iPhone Fold could present a unique challenge: how to deliver a seamless experience across two very different screen states. One possibility is a hybrid system that dynamically shifts between iOS‑style layouts when folded and iPadOS‑style multitasking when unfolded. Such an approach would let the device feel familiar in phone mode while unlocking tablet‑like productivity when opened up.
Whether Apple chooses to merge the two operating systems or introduce a new variant altogether, the goal will likely be consistency. Apps would need to adapt fluidly, and transitions between folded and unfolded states would have to feel instant and intuitive. If Apple succeeds, the iPhone Fold could redefine how its software ecosystem scales across devices.