Apple’s folding iPhone – what we know about the rumoured device – Yahoo News UK

Apple is the last holdout in the foldable phone market. But with iPhone sales stalling and AI upgrades falling flat, that could be about to change.

Despite years of speculation and no-shows, a wave of credible sources are now convinced that Apple is actively working on a folding iPhone that could arrive as soon as next year.

So, is this the real deal, or just another costly pipe dream like the long abandoned Apple Car? Here’s everything we know about the foldable iPhone, including its rumoured release date and price.

Design – What will the folding iPhone look like?

Foldable phones have been around for years, so why hasn’t Apple jumped in yet?

As always, Apple isn’t in a rush — it’s aiming to perfect the formula. That means tackling the biggest complaints users have faced, from fragile screens to inferior batteries, and setting a new gold standard for the category.

Size

So, what will a foldable iPhone actually look like?

Early reports hinted at a clamshell-style flip phone, like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola’s Razr. But the latest leaks suggest Apple is going bigger, literally, with a book-style fold that opens like a notebook, offering a screen closer in size to an iPad Mini.

Specifically, expect a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded (similar to Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold) and a 5.5-inch outer screen when shut.

As for thickness, Apple’s foldable is rumored to be just 4.5mm when unfolded and around 9mm when closed. This would make it thinner than Samsung and Google’s models, and roughly on par with Honor’s ultra-slim Magic V3.

The latest leaks come from Ming Chi Kuo, a trusted Apple analyst with his ear to the company’s supply chain.

Durability

A super-thin phone with a large display sounds great on paper, but it risks having the same durability pitfalls that have plagued foldables for years – things like clunky hinges, creased screens and the ever-present risk of scratches and wear.

Apple, though, isn’t settling for that. To address those flaws, the iPhone maker is reportedly working closely with its partners to harness a mix of new and existing technologies.

Reports suggest the company has been pushing its suppliers – Samsung for the display and Amphenol for the hinge – to crack the code on a “wrinkle-free” screen. Early samples weren’t up to scratch, but Apple reportedly kept sending them back until they got it right.

More recently, Kuo revealed that Apple’s secret weapon is liquid metal. Previously used in smaller iPhone parts (like SIM ejector pins), this is the first time Apple is deploying it in a crucial mechanical component. The goal? A stronger, smoother hinge that eliminates the dreaded screen crease that has marred other foldables.

Features and performance

Apple is clearly pouring its energy into perfecting the foldable iPhone’s design but what about the features that make an iPhone stand out? We’re talking about the top-tier cameras, reliable battery life and user-friendly software that have made it the best-selling phone in the world.

Well, rumours suggest Apple is borrowing cutting-edge tech from the upcoming iPhone 17 Air (and some of its closest rivals) to ensure its first foldable isn’t just flashy, but powerful and efficient to boot.

A port-free iPhone?

Like the foldable iPhone, the iPhone 17 Air is set to be a sleek, super-slim device that could overhaul Apple’s iPhone lineup after years of incremental updates.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple initially wanted the upcoming device to be completely port-free, ditching the USB-C connector in favour of wireless charging and cloud syncing. However, the company later backtracked, probably to avoid ruffling the feathers of regulators and consumers.

Nevertheless, Apple is eyeing this shift for its foldable iPhone. That also means no Sim tray, as is expected to be the case with the iPhone 17 Air, following Apple implementing Sim-free phones in the US with the 14 model.

Battery life

When it comes to foldables, thinner designs often result in weaker battery life. But Apple is not willing to compromise on that front, either. Rumour has it the folding iPhone will have the same impressive battery life as its regular counterparts, despite its sleek design.

The magic lies in Apple’s forthcoming A20 chip, which is expected to be built on a 2-nanometer process. That’s a serious upgrade from the current iPhone 16’s A18, which uses 3nm tech. In short, this means it will come packed with more transistors, equating to faster speeds and improved efficiency.

But it doesn’t stop there. Apple is also reportedly designing specialised chips to power the folding display in a bid to reduce power consumption and boost battery life.

Cameras

Still, Apple will have to make some compromises to keep it slim.

For starters, the foldable is expected to come with just two rear cameras, a notable downgrade from the three found on Apple’s Pro models.

Meanwhile, a front camera will be available when folded or opened. If that sounds confusing, Samsung gets around this issue by having a selfie camera on the front and an under-screen lens hidden inside the unfolded screen.

No Face ID?

As for Face ID, Apple might ditch its signature biometric feature in favour of a throwback: TouchID. Kuo suggested the fingerprint sensor will be built right into the side button, similar to foldables from Samsung and Google.

Lack of fast 5G

Last but not least, the foldable iPhone will probably sport Apple’s C1 modem, the same one found in the iPhone 16e. While it’s more power-efficient and perfect for a slim design, it won’t support mmWave — the faster version of 5G. Gurman expects that feature to stay exclusive to the Pro models for the time being.

Software

Alongside their clunky hardware, current foldables have a software problem. With content that doesn’t scale to fit their aspect ratio, black bars during video playback and awkward apps, it’s clear that bendy phones need a software overhaul.

Enter the iOS 19. Launching this September, the update is expected to lay the groundwork for future Apple devices, including the folding iPhone.

Borrowing design traits from VisionOS (the software that powers Apple’s Vision Pro headset), it could introduce translucent menus and buttons, transparent windows and overlays, and maybe even circular apps instead of the familiar rounded square shape. We’ve also seen leaked images of a redesigned camera app with a larger viewfinder.

Depending on its release date, the foldable iPhone may even come with iOS 20, with more refinements to cater to its unique design.

Apple Intelligence

In the meantime, if Apple can improve the experience of Apple Intelligence, it will make the new device an even “stronger proposition”, Francisco Jeronimo, an analyst at market research firm IDC, said.

Apple has faced criticism for delaying some of its biggest AI updates, including a planned overhaul for Siri. It’s easy to see how a more responsive AI, coupled with a tablet-like display would be a boon for multitaskers.

Imagine using AI to transcribe a meeting while also displaying notes, calendar events or related documents side by side. With a larger display, you could also converse with a chatbot about an upcoming holiday and view its recommended itinerary in Apple Maps.

“By combining a bigger screen with Apple Intelligence, that’s where they can make a difference,” Jeronimo noted.

Release date – when is the folding iPhone coming out?

So, when can budding upgraders get their hands on the device?

Reports claim Apple is in the prototyping stage, with mass production on the foldable expected to begin in 2026. That points to a launch in late 2026 or early 2027 at the latest.

More broadly, the folding iPhone will mark a major milestone for Apple. According to Gurman, it will be part of a wave of new models designed to commemorate the iPhone’s 20-year anniversary.

Price – how much will the folding iPhone cost?

Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to carry a hefty price tag. Barclays analyst Tim Long is predicting it will cost upwards of $2,300, while Kuo is anticipating between $2,000 and $2,500.

For Brits, that could mean a staggering £2,000 to £2,500, as Apple tends to localise prices rather than simply convert currency.

By comparison, the latest Galaxy Z Fold is on sale for £1,799. Boasting similar looks, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts from £1,749. For context, the most expensive iPhone model right now, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, starts at £1,199.

You’d think the sky-high price would make it as out of reach as the Vision Pro but analysts see big things ahead.

Although the markets for foldables is still “niche”, according to IDC’s Jeronimo, the goal for Apple is “to keep pushing prices higher”. Most users won’t pay the full price upfront anyway, he added, thanks to Apple’s attractive trade-in scheme and the ability to purchase in instalments or through monthly contracts with mobile networks.

For his part, Kuo predicts the foldable iPhone will ship three to five million units in 2026 alone. With a second-gen model expected by 2027, total shipments could soar to 20 million units.

Then again, not everyone is convinced that Apple will, or indeed even needs to, release a folding device.

“Our prediction is that Apple is more likely to dip a toe in the water with a foldable iPad than go head-long into producing a folding iPhone,” Ben Wood, the chief analyst at CCS Insight, said.

“Never, say never, but at the moment it seems unlikely Apple will introduce a folding iPhone anytime soon. All speculation is pointing to a much thinner iPhone, rather than one that folds.”