For years, we’ve heard rumors that Apple is developing its foldable phone. This is in response to Samsung’s foldables, given that Samsung is Apple’s biggest competitor in the smartphone space. Thanks to several leaks online, the specs of the rumored Apple foldable iPhone have emerged, so here’s what we can expect.
Familiar in many ways
According to a post on X by HaYao, Apple’s foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style foldable display. This is similar in form to devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series and the Vivo X Fold series. This means the phone will open up like a book, transforming the device from a smartphone into a tablet.
This is the concept that companies like Samsung and Vivo have gone for, but Apple could take things even further. This is according to a post on X by Jukanlosreve, where they claim that the internal display is expected to measure a massive 12 inches when fully unfolded! This puts it nearly on par with the largest iPad Pro model. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 features a 7.6-inch screen when unfolded, making this size difference huge in comparison.
Don’t worry about the thickness of the device. Apple is reportedly making the foldable iPhone thinner than its rivals. The device, when folded, measures 9.2mm thick, making it thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which is 12.1mm thick. When unfolded, the foldable iPhone reaches a thickness of just 4.6mm, in contrast to the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s 5.6mm. In fact, at a rumored thinness of 4.6mm, it is thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition.
It won’t be the thinnest foldable phone in the world. That honor goes to the upcoming Oppo Find N5, which measures 4.35mm thin when fully opened. However, the fact that it can pack such a massive display and still retain its thinness is impressive. There’s no word on weight, but with a 12-inch display, we don’t expect it to be light. That’s going to be a trade-off that iPhone users will have to make if they want an iPhone and iPad combined into a single device.
Other features
Rumors suggest that Apple plans to include a dual-battery setup alongside the 12-inch display, which will deliver a total battery life of up to 5,000mAh. For context, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 4,400mAh battery, making it smaller than the iPhone. However, we expect that the larger display is going to be one of the main sources of battery drain. Is 5,000mAh enough? We’ll have to wait and see.
Other rumored features of the foldable iPhone include a specially designed glass by Samsung. It’s kind of ironic that Samsung is making displays for a rival’s foldable smartphone, and it’s Apple nonetheless, but business is business at the end of the day. However, Apple will design the hinge themselves. Hopefully, the company will figure out a way to deal with the inevitable display crease that accompanies all foldable smartphones.
Launching in 2026
Apple is rumored to launch the foldable iPhone in 2026. But don’t get your hopes up just yet. We’ve been hearing rumors of the foldable iPhone for years now, and every year, we hear it’s been delayed. We don’t see why this will be any different.
Apple is also rumored to have lofty ambitions for the sale of its foldable iPhone. The company is reportedly aiming for 8-10 million units sold in its first year.
There’s also no word how much the phone will cost, but don’t expect it to come cheap. As with most Apple products, there is the dreaded “Apple tax.” Combine it with the massive foldable screen; don’t be surprised if it ends up being priced close to the $3,000 mark.
Image above shows a render of the possible design of the foldable iPhone courtesy of AppleInsider.
