This year, Apple is expected to release two of its most anticipated products—an AI-enabled Siri and the iPhone Fold. Apple is currently behind the competition in both areas. While AI features are now offered by almost every smartphone maker, foldable smartphones were first introduced by Samsung in 2019, and most manufacturers have since released at least one foldable model.
Apple is entering the foldable market late, but it is known for offering something new and distinct with its devices. Reports suggest it has developed a hinge that is more durable and minimizes the crease to deliver a more natural screen experience. There are also reports which indicate that the company may use Samsung’s latest M16 OLED panels. These panels are expected to be more energy-efficient, providing more power for upcoming AI-powered Siri and other AI features in the device. Here is everything we know about the upcoming iPhone Fold.
iPhone Fold launch timeline: What to expect
As September approaches—when Apple typically launches new iPhones—more information about the iPhone Fold is emerging. Enthusiasts can expect it to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, although there is uncertainty regarding availability. Some reports suggest the device will go on sale at the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro models, while others indicate possible delays. A report from Nikkei Asia claims that Apple may be facing manufacturing issues, which could delay shipments by a few months and push sales into 2027. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Apple is planning to release the device around the same time as its non-foldable models.
iPhone Fold: Design and display details
According to a dummy image shared by tipster Sunny Dickson, the iPhone Fold will prioritize the unfolded experience. It is expected to appear wider and shorter when closed and resemble an iPad mini when opened. The device is said to feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display, both of which are expected to use Samsung M16 OLED panels.
Reports also suggest that Apple may skip Face ID on the iPhone Fold and instead include a Touch ID sensor embedded in the power button. This change is reportedly due to design constraints that make it difficult to fit Face ID components into the slim form factor.
iPhone Fold: Camera specifications
For photography, the device is expected to feature a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, with no telephoto lens. It is also expected to include a 24-megapixel under-display camera for the inner screen, along with a hole-punch camera for the outer display.
iPhone Fold: Performance, storage, and battery
Reports suggest that the foldable iPhone will use Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro processor, which is expected to be built on a 2nm process, offering improved performance and efficiency compared to the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro series. The device is likely to come with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. On the battery front, it may feature a capacity between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh, potentially the largest ever in an iPhone, and is expected to support only eSIM, without a physical SIM tray.
Meanwhile, there are also reports suggesting that Apple may market the device as the foldable iPhone or iPhone Ultra, similar to its existing Ultra branding used for its smartwatch lineup.
