After years of rumors about a foldable iPhone, Apple seems finally ready to enter the foldable phone market. Since Samsung launched its Galaxy Z Fold series, foldable phones have gradually evolved from concept products into an important direction for high-end smartphones. Now, more and more reports indicate that Apple is developing its first foldable iPhone, which may be called the iPhone Fold, or, according to rumors, the iPhone Ultra. This device is expected to debut in the fall of 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, marking one of Apple's biggest product form factor changes in recent years. So, what upgrades can we expect from the iPhone Fold? What design will it adopt? Below, we will analyze in detail all the current information about Apple's first foldable iPhone.
iPhone Fold Expected Release Date
Apple has been researching foldable screen technology for years. Early rumors indicated that Apple tested various folding designs, including a small, vertically folding design similar to the Galaxy Z Flip, and a horizontally unfolding design similar to the Galaxy Z Fold. However, based on current information, Apple is ultimately leaning towards a "large fold" design that unfolds like a book. According to current reports, Apple will release the iPhone Fold along with the iPhone 18 Pro series on September 10th. Pre-orders will begin after the launch, and the official release date is likely to be around two weeks after the event.
Because foldable phones involve complex hinge structures, flexible OLED panels, and ultra-thin body designs, their production is significantly more difficult than that of traditional iPhones. Therefore, Apple's first foldable product may not be supplied in large quantities like a regular iPhone. Initial supply may be relatively limited.
iPhone Fold Design
According to current leaks, the iPhone Fold may resemble the Galaxy Z Fold, but more like a "foldable iPad mini ." Information suggests the iPhone Fold will likely use a book-like folding structure , with a standard phone screen on the outside , unfolding into a larger tablet-sized screen . This design is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series and the Google Pixel Fold series .
In its folded state, the iPhone Fold is expected to have an external screen of approximately 5.5 inches , bringing it closer to the size of a traditional iPhone . Compared to the narrower and longer external screen ratio of the Galaxy Z Fold series, Apple may adopt a wider aspect ratio design, which is ideal for everyday communication, photography, and social media use, improving the one-handed operation experience. The internal screen, when unfolded, will be approximately 7.8 inches , closer to the size of an iPad mini, and will use a 4:3 aspect ratio. This is the biggest difference between Apple and other foldable phones. The iPhone Fold may not be "a large foldable phone," but rather a smaller, portable iPad mini.
iPhone Fold Thickness
One of the biggest technological challenges of foldable phones is their thickness. Traditional phones have a single-screen structure , allowing for ample internal space. Foldable phones, however, require two screens, a hinge structure, and two internal batteries, resulting in a more complex overall internal layout. Current rumors suggest the iPhone Fold will be approximately 4.5mm thick when unfolded and around 9-9.5mm thick when folded. If these figures are accurate, the unfolded iPhone Fold could even be thinner than most traditional flagship phones, which is a key reason why Apple has been waiting for foldable technology to mature.
iPhone Fold screen
One of the biggest pain points of foldable phones currently is the crease in the center of the screen. For example, the noticeable indentation after prolonged use degrades the overall visual experience and affects the tactile feel. Apple is expected to use flexible OLED panels and ultra-thin glass (UTG ), along with improvements to the hinge structure, aiming to achieve virtually invisible creases. This is one of Apple's biggest advantages in entering the foldable phone market. Compared to early foldable phones that required users to accept technological compromises, Apple is more willing to wait until screen lifespan matures , hinge reliability improves , and the crease issue is resolved before releasing its product.
iPhone Fold Performance
As a flagship product with a potential price tag exceeding $2,000, the iPhone Fold is not expected to feature downgraded specifications. According to the most prominent rumors, the iPhone Fold may be equipped with an A20 chip and 12GB of RAM. The A20 chip will utilize TSMC's advanced manufacturing process to achieve higher performance and lower power consumption, while also providing enhanced AI computing capabilities through a proprietary AI chip. The 12GB of RAM marks Apple's first significant increase in memory capacity on an iPhone, primarily to support Apple Intelligence , multitasking, and a better split-screen experience on the foldable screen. For the unfolded iPhone Fold to achieve an iPad-like experience, ample RAM is practically a prerequisite.
iPhone Fold camera
Regarding the camera, the iPhone Fold may not completely replicate the iPhone Pro series. The most common rumors suggest a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens on the back , potentially omitting the telephoto lens. The reason is simple: the internal space of a foldable screen is limited, and Apple needs to strike a balance between phone thickness, battery size, hinge placement, and camera protrusion. Therefore, the iPhone Fold may emphasize everyday shooting, AI photography, and video experience more, rather than pursuing the highest-spec photography technology.
iPhone Fold may adopt Touch ID
The Face ID issue for the iPhone Fold is one of the most discussed topics. Reports suggest that the iPhone Fold may eliminate the dedicated Touch ID for Face ID. Because foldable phones require an extremely thin body, Apple may not be able to fit a complete TrueDepth Face ID component. Therefore, rumors suggest that the iPhone Fold might integrate Touch ID into the side power button instead of Face ID .If confirmed, this would be a significant change as Apple returns to Touch ID after many years.
iPhone Fold battery life
While foldable screens offer a larger display area, they also increase power consumption. To meet the power demands of large-screen use , AI computing, and multitasking, the iPhone Fold is expected to use a higher-density battery, currently rumored to be around 5000mAh, with some reports even predicting it could reach several times that of 5400-5800mAh. If this capacity becomes a reality, the iPhone Fold could become the iPhone with the largest battery capacity to date.
Conclusion
The iPhone Fold may redefine the direction of the iPhone for the next decade . The significance of Apple launching a foldable iPhone goes beyond simply adding a new product. It represents Apple's official entry into the post-smartphone form factor era. While information about the iPhone Fold still needs confirmation at the launch event, it's certain that if it is released, it will likely become one of the most important products in Apple's history since the first iPhone and the iPhone X. The foldable screen era has finally arrived, and Apple has officially entered the fray.
