Apple has yet to launch a foldable iPhone, but constant leaks suggest the project is getting closer to reality. Over the past few months, analysts and supply chain observers have continued to add key details, with most reports still pointing to a launch sometime in the second half of 2026. While Apple has yet to confirm anything publicly, the overall picture is starting to look more consistent.
As always, unreleased Apple hardware plans are subject to change. Features may change, timelines may be pushed back, and some prototypes may never ship. Even so, recent reports give us the clearest picture yet of how Apple’s first foldable phone will shape up, and where it will fit within the broader iPhone lineup.
Below, we’ve rounded up the most credible rumors to date, and we’ll be updating this guide as new details emerge.
When will iPhone Fold be launched?
Rumors about a foldable iPhone date back to 2017, but recent reports suggest Apple has finally locked down a realistic window. Most sources now indicate that the iPhone 18 series may be released in the fall of 2026, with some supply chains suggesting that if development goes well, mass production may begin in mid-2026.
Mark Gurman was inconsistent on the timing, initially suggesting Apple could launch “as early as 2026” and later writing that the device would ship in late 2026, with sales primarily in 2027. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has repeatedly set the second half of 2026 as Apple’s target.
Some reports still claim that the project could be delayed until 2027 if Apple encounters manufacturing or durability issues, especially with the hinge or display. That’s still a possibility, given Apple’s history of delaying products it doesn’t think are ready yet.
What will the iPhone Fold look like?
Current consensus suggests that Apple has opted for a book-style foldable design, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, rather than a clamshell flip phone.
When unfolded, the iPhone Fold is expected to resemble a small tablet like the iPad mini (8.3 inches). However, according to rumors, the iPhone Fold may be smaller, with an internal display size of approximately 7.7 to 7.8 inches. When closed, it should function like a traditional smartphone, with an external display measuring 5.5 inches.
CAD leaks and alleged case maker molds suggest the device could be shorter and wider than a standard iPhone when folded, resulting in a squarer footprint that better matches the aspect ratio of the display inside. Several reports have also pointed to the iPhone Air as a potential preview of Apple’s foldable design work, with its unusually thin body widely interpreted as half of what a future foldable iPhone could look like.
If this theory holds true, it could help explain the rumored size of the Fold. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the thickness is expected to be about 4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded, similar to the iPhone Air, and about 9 to 9.5 mm when folded, depending on the final hinge design and internal layering.
iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air (Engadget)
Display and crease issues
The display is arguably the biggest challenge of any foldable phone, and it seems like Apple has been investing years in development in this area.
Multiple reports claim that Apple will rely on Samsung Display as its main supplier. At CES 2026, Samsung showed off a new crease-free foldable OLED panel, which multiple sources, including Bloomberg, said may be the same technology Apple plans to use.
According to these reports, the panel combines flexible OLEDs with a laser-drilled metal support plate that disperses stress when folded. The goal is to create a display with virtually invisible creases, something Apple reportedly considers crucial before entering the foldable market.
If Apple does use such a panel, it would mark a significant improvement over current foldable devices, which still show noticeable creases in certain lighting conditions.
Cameras and biometrics
Camera rumors suggest Apple is planning a quad-camera setup. This may include:
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Two rear cameras (main camera and ultra-wide-angle camera, both rumored to be 48MP)
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There’s a hole-punch camera on the external display
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There is an under-screen camera on the inner screen
Multiple sources say Apple will avoid using Face ID entirely on the iPhone Fold. Instead, it’s expected to rely on Touch ID built into the power button, similar to recent iPad models. This would allow Apple to keep both displays without a notch or dynamic island cutout.
Under-screen camera technology has historically produced lower-quality images, but the rumored 24MP sensor would be a significant improvement over existing foldable devices, which often use much lower-resolution sensors.
iPhone Fold hinges and materials
The hinge is another area where Apple may differ from its competitors. Multiple reports say Apple will use Liquidmetal, the company’s long-standing trade name for a metallic glass alloy it has previously used in smaller parts. Although often referred to as “Liquid Metal” or “Liquid Metal” in reports, Liquid Metal is the brand Apple has historically associated with the material.
Liquidmetal is said to be stronger and more resistant to deformation than titanium, while maintaining a relatively light weight. If accurate, this could help improve long-term durability and reduce wear and tear on foldable displays.
Jon Prosser’s leak also mentions a metal plate underneath the display that works in conjunction with the hinge to minimize creases – a claim consistent with reports from Korean and Chinese supply chain sources.
Batteries and other parts
Battery life is another potential differentiator. According to Ming-Chi Kuo and multiple Asian supply chain reports, Apple is testing high-density batteries in the 5,000 to 5,800mAh range.
That would make it the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, and could be competitive with (or larger than) the batteries in current Android foldable phones. The device is also expected to use future A-series chips and Apple’s in-house modems, with some reports specifically pointing to the next-generation C2 modem as part of Apple’s broader efforts to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm.
price
None of this will come cheap, that’s for sure. Almost all reports agree that the iPhone Fold will be Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever.
It is currently estimated to sell for between $2,000 and $2,500 in the United States. Bloomberg said the price would be “at least $2,000,” while other analysts narrowed the likely range to around $2,100 to $2,300. This positions the iPhone Fold much higher than the iPhone Pro Max and closer to Apple’s high-end Macs and iPads.
Even though rumors have been circulating for years, there’s still a lot that’s unclear. Apple has yet to confirm the “iPhone Fold’s” name, final dimensions, software features or how iOS will fit into the foldable form factor. Durability, repairability and long-term reliability are also outstanding issues. For now, the safest assumption is that Apple is taking its time, and many of the details could still change before launch.