Latest speculation, design revelations, and alleged price information on the upcoming iPhone Fold model, compiled to date
Apple is rumoured to join the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Fold, a device that sets itself apart from its competitors, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold, in design, screen size, and technology.
Design Priorities for a Thinner, Crease-Less Screen
The iPhone Fold's design philosophy emphasises a thinner, crease-less screen. This is achieved through the use of advanced materials like Liquidmetal and titanium alloy, resulting in a premium build that differs from Samsung's slight visible crease and thicker frames. Unlike its competitors, the iPhone Fold is expected to integrate Touch ID into the power button, potentially omitting Face ID due to space constraints.
Smaller Main and Cover Screens
The main display of the iPhone Fold is rumoured to be around 7.7-7.8 inches, slightly smaller than Samsung’s (~8"). The cover screen, however, is notably smaller at 5.5 inches, compared to Samsung’s 6.5 inches. This could affect usability without unfolding.
Foldable Tech Maturity and Screen Size
Samsung leads in foldable tech maturity with larger cover screens and continued refinement of fold crease. Google’s foldable is comparable in screen size but fewer details are publicly known.
A Game-Changer for Movie Enthusiasts
The iPhone Fold could be a game-changer for movie enthusiasts, offering a fold-out big screen with Apple's signature magic. The device is expected to feature Apple's top processor at the time, presumably the A20.
Competing in a Crowded Market
Apple's rivals have already produced foldable phones, and the iPhone Fold will have to make a compelling case for foldables to appeal to more than just early adopters. Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the foldable iPhone will be a "true AI-driven phone", focusing on multimodal functionality and cross-app integration.
Predictions and Launch Dates
The iPhone Fold is expected to sit above the Pro and Pro Max in the annual iPhone lineup, meaning it could be higher-specced than most rumours have suggested. The iPhone 17 is a likely candidate for a September 2025 launch, as it could be the first foldable iPhone.
Sharing Technologies with Future Devices
The iPhone Fold is expected to reuse some technologies and techniques from the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, such as the compact C1 modem, no SIM card tray, and high-density battery tech.
A 'Book-Like' Design with a High-Quality Hinge
The iPhone Fold is predicted to have a "book-like" design with a 5.5-inch exterior screen and a 7.8-inch display when opened. It is also expected to have a much higher-quality hinge and an amorphous alloy (metallic glass) hinge that's able to go flatter when open. The screen is rumoured to have a 120Hz ProMotion display technology, double the maximum refresh rate of the 60Hz iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
A Crease-Free Samsung OLED Panel
The screen crease, a problem with early foldable devices, is unlikely to appear in the iPhone Fold, as it will reportedly use a crease-free Samsung OLED panel.
Price and Release Windows
Predictions for the price of the iPhone Fold range from $2000 to $2500, $2300, and "around $2000". There is a possibility that Apple might split its future iPhone launches across two separate release windows - so the Pros and Air in the autumn, and lower-end models (non-Pros and iPhone 'e' variant) the following spring. If recent reports are accurate, the iPhone Fold could launch as soon as next year.
Analyst Jeff Pu predicts the iPhone Fold will launch in 2026, alongside a foldable iPad. The iPhone Fold's external screen is expected to be smaller than the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, while its folded out screen is expected to be bigger than the Z Fold 6's and smaller than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's.
Uncertainty in Design
The iPhone Fold's design remains unclear, with speculation ranging from a 'standard' foldable design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 to a flip phone design like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
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- Apple's iPhone Fold is predicted to feature Touch ID on the power button, potentially omitting Face ID due to space constraints, a departure from its competitors.
- In terms of screen sizes, the iPhone Fold's main display is rumored to be around 7.7-7.8 inches, smaller than Samsung’s, while the cover screen is notably smaller at 5.5 inches.
- News reports suggest that the iPhone Fold could be a "true AI-driven phone", focusing on multimodal functionality and cross-app integration, aiming to compete effectively in a crowded market.
- According to predictions, the iPhone Fold might utilize a Samsung OLED panel, which is expected to be crease-free, overcoming a common issue in early foldable devices.
- The iPhone Fold might share technologies and techniques from the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, such as the compact C1 modem, no SIM card tray, and high-density battery tech.
- The iPhone Fold is expected to use a 'book-like' design with a high-quality hinge and a 120Hz ProMotion display technology, offering a big screen experience for movie enthusiasts.
