Foldable iPhone: Everything We Know About Apple's First Folding Phone

Apple has been exploring the idea of a foldable iPhone for years, and after more than a decade of rumors, the long-awaited device is finally expected to become reality in 2026.

The first foldable iPhone is expected to join the fall 2026 lineup alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple is reportedly planning a book-style design that opens into a much larger display, giving the device a distinctly iPhone-meets-iPad feel. The final name remains unconfirmed, although iPhone Ultra has become the leading rumor.

A foldable iPhone with an iPad-like design

Apple reportedly considered several folding designs before settling on a book-style format. Instead of creating a tall, narrow device that opens vertically, Apple is said to be developing a wider phone that unfolds horizontally into a tablet-like screen.

When closed, the device is expected to have a display of around 5.5 inches. Open it up and that screen could expand to approximately 7.8 inches, putting it surprisingly close to the 8.3-inch iPad mini.

The rumored 4:3 aspect ratio would further reinforce the tablet-like experience. Apple is also reportedly adapting iOS to take advantage of the larger display, including support for side-by-side apps and layouts that resemble some elements of iPadOS.

Despite those similarities, the foldable iPhone is not expected to run iPadOS or support iPad apps directly. Instead, Apple is preparing new tools for developers so existing iPhone apps can adapt more naturally to different screen sizes.

Apple is focusing heavily on the crease

The biggest challenge with any foldable phone is the display itself. Apple appears to be taking that problem particularly seriously.

Reports suggest the company has been working toward a nearly invisible crease, potentially using ultra-thin glass, a redesigned display structure and specialized adhesives. Rumors claim the crease could be less than 0.15mm deep, although Apple has not confirmed any of these measurements.

The display is reportedly being supplied by Samsung and could use a custom manufacturing process that integrates touch sensors directly into the panel. This would help reduce thickness while creating a stronger and more rigid display.

Apple is also said to be developing a sophisticated hinge using liquid metal. The material could offer greater resistance to bending and deformation while helping the company achieve the smooth folding mechanism it wants.

That focus on durability may explain why Apple has taken so long to enter the foldable market. Rather than simply producing a folding iPhone, the company appears determined to make the hardware feel polished from the beginning.

The thin design means some compromises

The foldable iPhone is expected to measure around 4.5mm thick when unfolded, which would make it thinner than Apple's current thinnest iPhone.

That thinness comes with trade-offs. The device is reportedly limited to two rear cameras instead of the three-camera setup found on Apple's Pro models. The expected system includes a Main camera and an Ultra Wide camera, with no dedicated Telephoto lens.

Face ID could also disappear. There reportedly isn't enough room for Apple's TrueDepth system in the slim chassis, so Apple may bring back Touch ID through the side power button.

For some users, that could be a surprising change. Face ID has become one of the defining features of modern iPhones, but the foldable design appears to require Apple to rethink several familiar components.

Cameras could be simpler than the Pro models

The rear camera system is expected to include two 48MP sensors, with Main and Ultra Wide cameras doing most of the work.

There may also be two selfie cameras, allowing users to take photos whether the phone is open or closed. One camera could face outward while another sits on the inner display.

Some reports have suggested Apple may eventually use an under-display camera for the larger screen. If that happens, it could create a cleaner viewing area when the phone is unfolded. However, the exact implementation remains uncertain.

The lack of a Telephoto camera will likely be one of the most noticeable compromises compared with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

A20 chip and improved cooling

Performance should still be firmly in flagship territory. The foldable iPhone is expected to use Apple's A20 chip, manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process.

The move to a smaller manufacturing process could bring meaningful improvements in both performance and efficiency. Reports suggest the A20 could be up to 15% faster and around 30% more efficient than the previous generation.

Apple is also expected to use advanced packaging that integrates memory more closely with the processor. This could improve performance, thermal management and Apple Intelligence capabilities.

Because a thin foldable phone has less room for traditional cooling solutions, Apple is reportedly planning to use a vapor chamber to distribute heat away from the processor.

The device could also feature 12GB of RAM, matching the amount rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models.

Battery life could be surprisingly strong

Battery capacity is another area where the foldable iPhone could make an impression.

Rumors point to a battery somewhere between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh, which would make it Apple's largest iPhone battery to date. The current record reportedly belongs to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Apple is said to be using high-density battery cells and making efficiency improvements to the display to compensate for the larger screen.

There are also references in iOS to two batteries inside an iPhone. That could make sense for a foldable device, with separate battery cells positioned on either side of the hinge.

Moving to a foldable iPhone means moving your data too

A new form factor may be exciting, but switching to it also brings a less glamorous task: moving everything from your existing phone.

If you decide to copy my phone data to the new iPhone, it is worth organizing your files before starting the transfer. Photos, videos, contacts and documents can quickly pile up over several years, so moving only what you actually need can make the setup process much cleaner.

Smart Transfer can also be useful when moving content between compatible devices. Its transfer tools are designed to help users move selected files and personal content without turning the process into a complicated multi-step chore. For people changing phones, an anywhere file transfer approach can be particularly convenient when important files need to move between devices rather than remain scattered across different services.

Messaging data deserves special attention too. If WhatsApp conversations and media are important to you, planning your WhatsApp backup transfer before switching devices can help ensure that valuable conversations and attachments do not get overlooked.

The foldable iPhone could support satellite connectivity

Apple's second-generation C2 modem is expected to power the device. Unlike Apple's earlier custom modem designs, the C2 is rumored to support mmWave 5G.

The modem could also bring broader satellite connectivity. If the reports are accurate, the foldable iPhone may eventually support more extensive satellite-based communication, potentially allowing services such as Maps and Photos to work when conventional cellular networks are unavailable.

Apple is also reportedly considering ways for third-party applications to access satellite connectivity.

The phone is expected to be eSIM-only, with no physical SIM card slot, following the direction Apple has already taken with some newer iPhone models.

What about the Apple Pencil?

Apple has reportedly tested a smaller Apple Pencil specifically for the foldable iPhone.

That idea makes some sense. A nearly 8-inch display could provide enough room for handwritten notes, drawing, photo editing and other precision tasks. However, the Pencil is not currently expected to launch with the phone.

The rumored version is said to be shorter than the iPad Pencil and designed to attach magnetically to the side of the device.

Whether Apple eventually brings stylus support to the iPhone remains an open question. It would certainly mark a major departure from Apple's long-standing approach to smartphone input.

What will Apple call the foldable iPhone?

The name has not been confirmed, but iPhone Ultra is currently one of the strongest possibilities.

The device is unlikely to use the same numbered naming system as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The Ultra branding would also fit Apple's existing use of the term for premium products such as the Apple Watch Ultra.

"iPhone Fold" has also been used throughout the rumor cycle, but that name seems less likely given its similarity to Samsung's Galaxy Fold branding.

How much will the foldable iPhone cost?

This will almost certainly be an expensive iPhone.

Current estimates place the starting price somewhere between $1,800 and $2,500, with some forecasts suggesting the most expensive configurations could approach $3,000.

The rumored storage options are 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. One reported estimate puts those models at roughly $2,320, $2,610 and $2,900 respectively.

If those figures prove accurate, the foldable iPhone would be considerably more expensive than Apple's conventional Pro Max models.

When will the foldable iPhone launch?

Apple is expected to introduce the foldable iPhone at its September 9, 2026 event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The exact release date is less certain.

Some reports indicate that Apple could launch the foldable at roughly the same time as the other new iPhones. Others suggest the company may announce it in September but delay the actual release until October because of manufacturing challenges.

A staggered regional launch is another possibility. Limited production could mean that some markets receive the phone before others.

Whatever happens, early availability may be tight. Producing a first-generation foldable at Apple's expected scale is considerably more complicated than manufacturing a conventional smartphone, and reports have pointed to ongoing production challenges.

The first foldable iPhone could be Apple's biggest redesign in years

The foldable iPhone is shaping up to be much more than an iPhone that happens to fold.

Apple appears to be rethinking the display, hinge, cameras, biometric authentication, software interface and internal architecture around the new form factor. The result could be a device that feels closer to a miniature iPad when opened while retaining the convenience of a regular smartphone when closed.

There will be compromises, particularly the lack of Face ID and a Telephoto camera. The price will also put the device firmly into luxury territory.

But if Apple succeeds in delivering the thin design, durable hinge and nearly crease-free display that current reports describe, the foldable iPhone could become one of the company's most significant hardware launches in years.