Apple is reportedly gearing up to enter the foldable smartphone market with its first foldable iPhone in 2026. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company could unveil the device with a book-style form factor, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gurman described it as “the most exciting Apple launch in years.” Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from Apple’s maiden foldable iPhone.
Display and Design
The foldable iPhone, internally codenamed V68, is expected to adopt a book-style design featuring both a cover display and a larger internal screen. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously suggested the device may include a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch foldable inner panel. Similarly, Jeff Pu indicated resolutions of 2088 × 1422 for the cover screen and 2713 × 1920 pixels for the inner display.
Compared with rivals such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold (8-inch main, 6.4-inch cover) and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (8-inch main, 6.5-inch cover), Apple’s screens may be slightly smaller. However, reports claim the company is focusing on a crease-free folding experience. Instead of “on-cell touch sensors,” Apple has chosen an in-cell touch screen, a switch expected to improve responsiveness and reduce crease visibility.
In terms of dimensions, the device could measure 9mm–9.5mm when folded and 4.5mm–4.8mm when unfolded, putting it on par with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Cameras and Biometrics
The foldable iPhone is tipped to feature a quad-camera system — two lenses on the rear and one front camera on each display. The main sensor may be a 48MP primary camera, paired with either an ultra-wide or telephoto lens, while the two front cameras could house 24MP sensors.
Unlike current iPhones that use Face ID, this model may integrate Touch ID, potentially replacing the Dynamic Island with punch-hole camera cutouts. Apple is also working on under-display camera technology, though it’s unclear if it will be ready for the first release.
Performance and Connectivity
The foldable is expected to join the iPhone 18 series, likely running on the A20-series chipset. Some reports suggest Apple could even include a Pro-level processor, typically reserved for its high-end models.
For connectivity, the device may debut with Apple’s second-generation modem chip (C2), following the C1 modem introduced with the iPhone 16e. Another notable change could be the removal of physical SIM support, positioning the foldable as an eSIM-only device.
Features
When Google launched the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it became the first foldable with an IP68 rating. Apple’s foldable may not match that standard immediately, instead offering an IP48 rating similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or focusing on water resistance over dust protection.
On the charging side, Apple could take the lead. While Google’s foldable supports Qi2-based Pixelsnap magnetic charging capped at 15W, Apple’s MagSafe system, which underpins the Qi2 25W standard, already allows faster wireless speeds. It’s expected that the foldable iPhone will support 25W MagSafe wireless charging.
Price and Launch Timeline
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s manufacturing partner Foxconn may begin work on the foldable iPhone project by late 2025, with mass production set for the second half of 2026. This suggests a possible launch in September 2026.
Pricing is likely to place the device firmly in the ultra-premium category. Both Gurman and JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee predict a starting price close to $2,000, making it one of Apple’s most expensive smartphones to date.
