Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Macworld explores Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, anticipated to launch in September 2026 with “iPhone Extremely” branding and premium positioning.
- The gadget could characteristic a 7.8-inch inside show, crease-free expertise utilizing variable thickness glass, and value $2,000-$2,399 for ultra-premium positioning.
- Key specs embrace A20 processor, Contact ID energy button, twin cameras, and book-style folding design measuring 9.5mm folded thickness.
We’ve been reporting on the supposedly imminent launch of a foldable iPhone for years. There have been sturdy and dependable rumors of a foldable iPhone being simply two years away, courting way back to 2018, not less than. Again then, dependable stories from the likes of CNBC stated Apple was going to have a folding iPhone in the marketplace in 2020.
That turned 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025… and now it’s anticipated to land in 2026.
So, whereas the rumors and stories from components suppliers and analysts are heating up and we have now extra specifics than ever earlier than, we’d advise much more warning and skepticism than regular with Apple hypothesis. With that stated, right here’s what present rumors recommend concerning the launch of a folding iPhone.
Replace April 14, 2026: We’ve up to date this information with the newest a number of rumors, together with extra dummy fashions, pricing data, and one other leak that “iPhone Extremely” would be the title.
Foldable iPhone title: What’s going to or not it’s known as?
Many followers and pundits have gotten into the behavior of referring to the rumored gadget because the iPhone Fold, however this will likely not essentially be the official title. The newest rumors and leaks recommend that Apple is trying to name it iPhone Extremely.
Mark Gurman at Bloomberg claimed that the folding iPhone might be one in all a number of “Extremely” merchandise coming this yr—although not all will use “Extremely” branding, it’s actually a chance for the folding iPhone. Then, the Weibo account Digital Chat Station (which is hit-and-miss) stated Apple is trying to make use of the iPhone Extremely title, too.
Anticipated iPhone Fold launch date
Apple is deep into testing and validation for the folding iPhone, in keeping with the newest leaks. The accepted story is that Apple will introduce it in September 2026, together with the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max (however not the common iPhone 18).
After a report from Nikkei Asia stated that Apple is considerably behind on the manufacturing timetable, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman chimed in to say it’s nonetheless on monitor, although provides could also be restricted at first. Apple is aiming to place the gadget on sale on the identical time or “quickly after” the non-folding iPhone 18 Professional fashions, he claims.
Based on MacRumors, Barclays analyst Tim Lengthy stated in a analysis observe that the folding iPhone will possible ship in December, a pair months after the anticipated September launch of the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max.
Foldable iPhone design
In 2024, The Info reported that Apple had made a few prototype “clamshell” flip-phone designs, the place the highest and backside of the telephone fold to fulfill. More moderen rumors in 2025 from Digital Chat Station on Weibo and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recommend a “e book” fashion fold, with a vertical fold because the left and proper sides come collectively. It is a comparable fashion to the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.
The general dimension and form is exclusive for iPhones and folding telephones basically. It’s a wider “passport” type issue that opens right into a wider side ratio than is typical. The very best have a look at it we have now is from a dummy mannequin spotlighted by Sonny Dickson on X.
Sonny Dickson
The hinge is anticipated to be one in all its most original options. Some stories have recommended will probably be fabricated from a titanium alloy, whereas analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in March 2025 that Apple is exploring the usage of LiquidMetal for “sturdiness, enhancing display flatness, and minimizing crease marks” within the display. Apple has obtained a number of patents for hinge designs, and it’s unclear which the corporate will use within the remaining design.
On July 14, Kuo reported that Apple had discovered tips on how to eliminate the fold crease by utilizing steel plates to assist “distribute and management bending stress.”
A leak from Weibo account Instantaneous Digital at the beginning of February says the quantity buttons might be on the highest edge, aligned proper. On the again might be two cameras on a protracted skinny “plateau” much like the iPhone Air, solely black relatively than color-matched to the telephone physique.
Folding iPhone show particulars
Ming-Chi Kuo has additionally reported on the folding iPhone’s set of proposed design particulars. He says the book-style iPhone could have a 7.8-inch inside show when unfolded, and a 5.5-inch outer show. Kuo says Apple gained’t be happy till the telephone’s show is totally crease-free when opened.
In July, TrendForce made the identical prediction, reporting that the folding iPhone would characteristic a 7.8-inch inside and 5.5-inch exterior show. A later report from The Info put the display sizes at 7.7 inches inside and 5.3 inches outdoors.
The folding telephone is claimed to be at most 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5mm when unfolded. For comparability, an iPhone 16 Professional Max is 8.5mm thick, and the thinnest iPhone of all time is the iPhone Air at 5.6mm.
Apple is claimed to be counting on show glass with variable thickness, that’s thinner proper the place the crease might be, in an effort to assist get rid of the “crease” that seems in lots of folding telephones after months of use. Along with an optically clear adhesive to cut back stress on the glass in that space, Apple hopes to have a folding telephone that’s crease-free and stays that method.
Folding iPhone rumored specs: chip, cameras & options
We don’t know what processor the folding iPhone will comprise, however primarily based on the discharge timeline, it’s going to most likely characteristic an A20 or A20 Professional—some variant of the processor discovered within the iPhone 18.
We anticipate most iPhones to make use of Apple’s personal mobile modem and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chips by that point as effectively. This may most likely be the brand new C2 modem and the N1 for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth.
The folding iPhone will reportedly have a Contact ID-enabled energy button relatively than Face ID.
IDG
As a result of very skinny nature of the foldable iPhone, and the necessity for various front-facing cameras when folded up or unfolded, it’s going to reportedly lack Face ID. As an alternative, Contact ID might be integrated into the aspect button a lot as it’s on the iPad Air’s energy button.
There’ll reportedly be two rear cameras (possible an ordinary extensive and ultrawide) and two front-facing cameras, one for when the iPhone is closed and one for when it’s open.
Folding iPhone: Value
The newest rumors from Weibo leakers recommend beginning worth of RMB 15,999 in China for the 256GB mannequin, as much as RMB 19,999 for the 1 TB mannequin. When making use of the identical yuan-to-dollar ratio as different Apple merchandise, this interprets to a $1,999 beginning worth, as much as $2,399 for the 1TB mannequin.
