Folding iPhone: Release date, design, display, specs

We reported the “soon to come soon” launch of a foldable iPhone since years. There have been solid and reliable rumors of a foldable iPhone being only two years out of 2018, at least. At the time, reliable CNBC reports said Apple was going to have a folding iPhone on the market in 2020.

This has become 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025… and now he must land in 2026 at the earliest.

Thus, while rumors and reports of parts and analysts warm up and seem to be stronger than ever, we advise even more caution and skepticism than usual with apple rumors. That said, here is what the current rumors suggest about the release of a folding iPhone.

Update on July 21, 2025: A report indicates that the IOS 27 development will focus on the functionality of the folding iPhone.

Folding iPhone: release date

According to a series of reports, the design and main specifications of the first Apple folding phone should be finalized in the middle of 2025, with targeted production for the end of 2026. This would mean A launch at the end of 2026 or at the beginning of 2027. So far, this calendar has been suggested by several sources in 2024 and 2025, including information, the Wall Street Journal and Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman analysts.

The phone should be complex and expensive to manufacture, so that the production volume will probably be very limited at the start. A Second model at the end of 2027 should see higher production numbers.

Gurman reported in July 2025 that Apple will focus on the features of the folding iPhone in iOS 27, which will be released in the fall of 2026.

Folding iPhone: design

In 2024, the information reported that Apple had manufactured some conceptions of “clamshell” plip-tilephone, where the top and the bottom of the phone bend to meet. More recent rumors in 2025 of the digital cat station on Weibo and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest a “Book” style foldWith a vertical fold when the left and right sides bend to meet. This is a style similar to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.

Luke Baker

The hinge should be one of its most unique features. Certain reports have suggested that it would be made of a titanium alloy, while Kup reported in March 2025 that Apple explored the use of liquidations for “sustainability, improving the flatness of the screen and minimizing the folds” on the screen. Apple has received several patents for hinge conceptions, and we do not know which company will use in the final design.

On July 14, analyst Ming-Chi Ku reported that Apple understood how to get rid of the fold using metal plates to “distribute and control the flexion stress”, according to Kuo, which would help minimize the folds.

Folding iPhone: size and dimensions

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported on the set of design details offered by the folding iPhone. He says that the book of book style will have a 7.8 inch interior display when it is unfolded, and a 5.5 inch outdoor display. Kuo says that Apple is not satisfied as long as the phone display is not completely free when opening.

The folding phone would be at most 9.5 mm thick when folded and 4.5 mm when unfolded. For comparison, an iPhone 16 Pro Max has an 8.5 mm thickness and the thinnest iPhone of all time was the iPhone 6 at 6.9 mm. The next iPhone 17 air should be about 6 mm thick and maybe 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 launches in 2026 as the rumor said, it will probably have a A20 or A20 Pro—Ilage a processor variant found in the iPhone 18.

We expect most iPhones to use Apple’s own cellular modem And Wi-Fi / Bluetooth fleas At that time too. They can even be integrated into the system on the main chip.

IDG

Due to the very thin nature of the foldable iPhone and the need for different cameras oriented forward when it is folded or unfolded, it would lack the identification of the face. Instead, Touch will be incorporated into the side button as it is on the iPad Air and Mini.

There would be Two rear cameras (probably a large and ultrawide standard) and Two front camerasOne for the moment when the iPhone is folded closed and one for when it is open.

Mark Urman de Bloomber reported in July 2025 that Apple will focus on the functionality of the folding iPhone in iOS 27, which will be released in the fall of 2026.

Folding iPhone: Price

Expect that the folding iPhone is a very high-end ultra-premium model. The very first version would cost $ 2,000 or more And could start at $ 2,299, twice the most upscale iPhone Pro Max.