Foldable iPhones may be closer to reality than ever before. Longtime Apple leaker Sonny Dickson shared a 3D CAD rendering of the rumored device on Monday. While the post doesn’t provide any evidence that these are official Apple renders, the design is as restrained as you’d expect from the company. The images match a separate CAD leak published by GSMArena in December, making this the most reliable look we’ve seen of the device so far.
The renders show a book-style foldable iPhone that opens with a wider, tablet-like aspect ratio, similar to the iPad Mini. While exact dimensions weren’t included, the proportions appear to match those reported in previous CAD leaks, showing a chunky, passport-sized phone when folded, like the original Google Pixel Fold. This alone is enough to make Apple’s foldable phone stand out from tall and narrow foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The back looks like a mix of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. It has a raised rectangular camera platform at the top that houses two cameras, and the Apple logo sits in the center of a flat, square frame that sits flush with the rest of the phone. The two outside corners look rounded, while the hinge side looks more square. There’s also a punch-hole selfie camera on the cover display, but there’s no hint as to what kind of camera array is hidden inside the fold.
If the leak is true, it could also hint at Apple’s timeline for the release of its foldable phone. CAD files are typically created late in the development process, making it possible to launch alongside the iPhone 18 in September. These files are often shared with accessory manufacturers so they can begin designing the enclosure.
But this still doesn’t guarantee that the device will ship exactly as shown, or at all. Although rare, Apple has been known to put projects in development on hold for long periods of time if they’re not quite ready for prime time (such as an Apple Car). Details may change between this stage and final hardware.
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Supply chain activity is already underway, lending credence to the rumors. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, Apple has selected Samsung Display as the exclusive supplier of foldable OLED panels for the device. It’s an unusual move for a company that typically spreads production among multiple suppliers. According to Digital Trends, Samsung was chosen for its technological leadership in reducing screen creases, a detail that Apple has reportedly prioritized. Volume production of these displays is said to begin around mid-2026, in line with Apple’s typical fall hardware release window.
To say Apple is late to the fold in the foldable space would be an understatement. Samsung launched the first Galaxy Fold as early as 2019, which is currently in its seventh generation. It also has six generations of clamshell Galaxy Z Flip devices and will launch TriFold in 2026. Meanwhile, at CES and last week’s Mobile World Congress, rivals unveiled a slew of new foldable phones at various price points. For six years, Apple sat on the sidelines.
But that’s the thing about Apple. The company rarely leads a category from the starting line. It waited, refined, and then redefined, releasing a product that dominated its niche (with rare exceptions—looking at you, HomePod). If the iPhone Fold arrives this fall as expected, it won’t just be Apple joining the foldable phone race; it could be a catalyst for the rest of the industry.
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