Apple has yet to announce a foldable iPhone, but after years of speculation, the outlines of what is often called the iPhone Fold are starting to take shape. Many analysts and leakers now agree that Apple is targeting a later 2026 launch window for its first foldable phone, positioning it as a premium flagship rather than a niche experiment.

As with all pre-launch Apple products, nothing official here. Plans can change, parts can be dropped and timelines can be lost. However, recent reports paint the clearest picture yet of how Apple is approaching a foldable iPhone and how it plans to differentiate itself from rivals like Samsung and Google.

Below is a roundup of the most credible iPhone Fold rumors so far, covering possible release time, design, display technology, cameras and price. We will continue to update this post as more rumors and details become available.

When can the iPhone Fold be launched?

Rumors of a foldable iPhone date back to 2017, but more recent reporting suggests that Apple has finally locked down a realistic window. Most sources now point to the fall of 2026, possibly alongside the iPhone 18 line.

Mark Gurman went back in time, initially suggesting that Apple could launch “in 2026,” before later writing that the device ship by the end of 2026 and go on sale first in 2027. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also repeatedly cited the second half of 2026 as Apple’s target.

Some reports still claim that the project may fall in 2027 if Apple runs into manufacturing or durability issues, especially around the hinge or display. Given Apple’s history of delaying products it feels aren’t ready, that remains a real possibility.

What does the iPhone Fold look like?

The current consensus suggests that Apple has settled on a book-style foldable design, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, rather than a clamshell flip phone.

When opened, the iPhone Fold is expected to resemble a small tablet like the iPad mini (8.3 inches). Based on the rumor mill, however, the iPhone Fold could be a touch smaller, with an internal display measuring around 7.7 to 7.8 inches. When closed, it should work like a regular smartphone, with an external display of 5.5-inch range.

CAD leaks and said molds to make a case It is suggested that the device would be shorter and wider than a standard iPhone when folded, creating a squarer footprint that better matches the aspect ratio of the internal display. Many reports also point to The iPhone Air as a potential preview of Apple’s foldable design work, with its incredibly thin chassis widely interpreted as a glimpse of what a future half-foldable iPhone might look like.

If that’s the theory, it could help explain the Fold’s rumored dimensions. The thickness is expected to land between roughly 4.5 and 5.6mm when unfolded, putting it in the same range as the iPhone Air, and over 9 to 11mm when folded, depending on the final hinge design and internal layering.

Show the crease question

The display is the biggest challenge for any foldable phone, and it’s an area where Apple appears to have invested years in development.

Many reports say that Apple will rely on Samsung Display as its main supplier. At CES 2026, Samsung has shown a new crease-less foldable OLED panelthat many sources — including Bloomberg – is proposed to be the same technology that Apple plans to use.

According to these reports, the panel combines a flexible OLED with a laser-drilled metal support plate that dissipates stress when folded. The goal is a display with an almost invisible crease, something Apple reportedly considered important before entering the foldable market.

If Apple uses this panel, it will mark a notable improvement over current foldables, which still show visible shrinkage under certain lighting conditions.

Cameras and biometrics

Camera rumors suggest that Apple is planning a quad camera setup. That may include:

• Two rear cameras (main and ultra-wide, both rumored to be 48MP)

• A punch-hole camera on the external display

• An under-display camera on the inner screen

Claimed by many sources Apple will avoid Face ID entirely on the iPhone Fold. However, it is expected that rely on Touch ID built in power button, similar to new iPad models. This allows Apple to keep the two displays without notches or cutouts on the Dynamic Island.

Under-display camera technology has historically produced lower image quality, but a rumored 24MP sensor will be a significant improvement compared to existing foldables, which usually use lower resolution sensors.

The hinge and materials of the iPhone Fold

The hinge is another area where Apple can separate itself from competitors. Many reports say that Apple will use it Liquidmetal, which is a long-standing trade name for a metallic glass alloy that the company once used in small components. While often referred to as “liquid metal” or “Liquid Metal” in reports, Liquidmetal is the branding that Apple has historically associated with the material.

Liquidmetal is said to be stronger and more resistant to deformation than titanium, while remaining relatively light. If done correctly, this will help improve long-term durability and reduce wear and tear on the foldable display.

Leaks from Jon Prosser also referred to a metal plate under the display that moves in tandem with the hinge to minimize wrinkling — a claim consistent with reporting from supply-chain sources in Korea and China.

Battery and other components

Battery life is another potential difference. According to Ming-Chi Kuo and many supply-chain reports in AsiaApple is testing high-density battery cells in the 5,000 to 5,800mAh range.

That would make it the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, and compete with (or bigger than) the batteries in current Android foldables. The device is also expected to use the upcoming A-series chip and Apple’s in-house modem.

Price

None of this is cheap, that’s for sure. Almost every report agrees that the The iPhone Fold is Apple’s most expensive iPhone always.

Current estimates put the price between $2,000 and $2,500 in the US. Bloomberg says the price will be “at least $2,000,” while other analysts narrowed the likely range to around $2,100 and $2,300. That puts the iPhone Fold well above the iPhone Pro Max and closer to Apple’s high-end Macs and iPads.

Despite years of rumours, there is still much that remains unclear. Apple has not confirmed the name “iPhone Fold,” final dimensions, software features or how iOS will adapt to a folding form factor. Durability, recovery and long-term reliability are also open questions. For now, the safest guess is that Apple is taking its time and that many of these details may change before launch.