The long-rumored foldable iPhone is finally moving from the “what if” stage to the assembly line.
After years of whispers, leaks, and wishful thinking, the so-called iPhone Fold is shaping up to be one of the most consequential product launches in Apple’s history. Positioned as an extra-premium device, the rumored iPhone Fold looks to differentiate itself by solving the most common complaints of current foldables: the visible screen crease and bulky designs.
Here are eight of the most persistent rumors shaping expectations.
Book-style design, not a flip phone
Apple’s first foldable is expected to resemble a book rather than a clamshell. That puts it closer in concept to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
Reports say the device will fold horizontally, opening into a tablet-like display. This would mark Apple’s entry into the large-screen foldable category instead of the compact flip segment.
A crease-free display goal
One of the biggest talking points: the crease. Foldable phones today often show a visible line where the screen bends.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that Apple may use specially engineered metal components and liquid metal in the hinge to distribute stress more effectively during folding. If accurate, this could mark the first foldable marketed as virtually crease-free.
Touch ID may replace Face ID
Several reports suggest the foldable iPhone will skip Face ID and instead use a side-mounted Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has backed this claim, noting that removing Face ID components could free up valuable internal space. Apple has previously used side-mounted Touch ID in devices like the iPad lineup. For a premium device, that would be a notable shift in biometric strategy.
Camera trade-offs
In a surprising twist for a premium device, the iPhone Fold may only feature a dual-lens rear camera system (Main and Ultra-wide), skipping the telephoto zoom lens found on Pro models.
- Rear: Two 48-megapixel lenses.
- Selfie: An under-screen camera (USC) is rumored for the internal display to provide a seamless viewing experience, though a traditional punch-hole camera may remain on the outer screen for higher-quality video calls.
Massive battery and efficiency
Battery life is often a weak point for foldables, but Apple is reportedly aiming for the “biggest battery ever used in an iPhone.” Estimates put the capacity between 5,000mAh and 5,500mAh. This will be paired with CoE technology in the display, which integrates color filters directly into the screen to save power and reduce thickness.
Connectivity and the ‘C2’ Modem
Apple is continuing its push for independence from third-party parts. The Fold is expected to use Apple’s custom-designed C2 modem for cellular connectivity. Notably, Gurman reports that the device “will lack a SIM-card slot,” leaning entirely into eSIM technology.
Pricing: The most expensive iPhone yet
Innovation won’t come cheap. Most reports agree that this will be the most expensive iPhone in history. Estimates for the starting price range from $2,000 to $2,500. Despite the high cost, analyst Kuo says Apple’s loyal customer base could view it as a “must-have device” if it delivers meaningful improvements over existing foldables.
As for storage, the base model will likely start at 256GB of storage; anything less would feel inadequate at these price points. Reports outline potential configurations such as 12GB RAM + 256GB, 12GB RAM + 512GB, and 12GB RAM + 1TB storage.
Late 2026 launch… probably
Gurman expects the device to land in the fall of 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The device is currently believed to be in the “engineering validation” stage, where Apple is reportedly testing 100-unit batches to ensure the design is ready for mass production.
That said, Japan’s Mizuho Securities hasn’t ruled out a slip to 2027 if Apple takes longer to finalize key design decisions.
Also read: Apple is rumored to be planning an all-glass, button-free iPhone for its 20th anniversary in 2027, alongside other major iPhone redesigns.
