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Apple’s first foldable iPhone: Everything we know so far about the 2026 launch
A new report says that the device will open like a book, feature Touch ID on the side button, and debut in black and white colour options
- PUBLISHED: Mon 25 Aug 2025, 1:57 PM
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed fresh details about Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone in his latest Power On newsletter, and it looks like the company’s first foldable will be a significant step into a new category of devices. Scheduled for a fall 2026 release, the foldable iPhone is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most ambitious hardware projects yet.
A foldable design that opens like a book
According to Gurman, as reported by 9to5Mac, the foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup and others. When closed, it will feature an outer touchscreen in the 5–6-inch range, functioning much like a standard iPhone. Opening the device will reveal a much larger 8-inch inner display, designed for multitasking, productivity, and immersive media.
Four-camera system
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Apple plans to outfit the device with a total of four cameras:
One front-facing camera for use when the phone is closed
Two rear cameras (a main wide sensor and either ultra-wide or telephoto)
One inner camera on the large foldable screen for selfies and video calls
This setup ensures the foldable can function seamlessly as both a traditional iPhone and a tablet-like device when unfolded.
Touch ID to return?
Perhaps the most surprising detail is the return of Touch ID. While recent iPhones have relied exclusively on Face ID, the foldable form factor presents design challenges. With the device expected to measure just 9.5mm when closed (less than 5mm per half), the bulky TrueDepth camera system used for Face ID won’t fit. Instead, Apple will integrate a side-button fingerprint sensor for authentication.
Modem, design, colours, and pricing
According to 9to5Mac, the newsletter adds that the foldable will also feature Apple’s in-house C2 modem, succeeding the C1 chip currently used in the iPhone 16e. The C2 modem promises faster speeds and will debut across the 2025 iPhone 17 Air before making its way into the foldable iPhone the following year. As with Apple’s latest devices, the foldable will ship without a SIM card slot, relying fully on eSIM.
Gurman reports that Apple’s debut foldable will be offered in just two colours — black and white — reflecting a more minimalist approach for its first-generation device. Production is expected to ramp up in early 2026, with a consumer release slated for that fall.
While Apple hasn’t hinted at pricing, the foldable will almost certainly sit at the very top of its lineup. With premium Android foldables already starting around $1,800, Apple’s model is unlikely to come in any cheaper.
What’s next for iPhones?
The foldable iPhone won’t be Apple’s only major design shift. Gurman notes that 2027’s iPhone Pro lineup will debut a new all-glass design, marking one of the biggest visual overhauls in years. In the meantime, however, this year’s iPhone 17 lineup will remain mostly familiar from the front, with changes including a rectangular camera module on the back and the introduction of the incredibly thin iPhone 17 Air.
