After years of speculation and rumorsApple’s first-ever foldable iPhone may finally see the light of day. A new leak suggests that the Cupertino tech giant is aiming for a fall 2026 launchwith an iPad and MacBook with foldable displays following in 2027. The upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to feature a book-style designsimilar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold serieswith a large 12-inch internal display and dual rear cameras.
Expected Release TimelineAccording to leaker HaYaO (@Shun HaYaO)Apple’s foldable product roadmap looks as follows:
Foldable iPhone – Expected in Fall 2026
Foldable iPad & MacBook – Expected in 2027
No Progress on a Flip-Style Foldable iPhone YetUnlike compact flip-style foldablesApple appears to be focusing on larger book-style deviceswhich can unfold into tablet-sized displays.
Apple Foldable iPhone: Expected Specifications & Features| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 12-inch inner screen (comparable to two 6.1-inch iPhones combined) |
| Folded Thickness | 9.2mm |
| Unfolded Thickness | 4.6mm |
| Main Camera | Dual rear setup (Primary + Ultra-Wide Angle) |
| Battery | 5,000mAh (3D stacked, developed by ATL) |
| Hinge Design | Apple-designed, sourced from Taiwan |
| Frame Material | Aluminium alloy |
| Display Supplier | Samsung (UTG Lens Technology) |
| Manufacturing Partners | Foxconn (2026), Luxshare (2027) |
How Apple’s Foldable iPhone Compares to Samsung’s Foldables
Folded Thickness: Apple’s 9.2mm design is slimmer than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 (12.1mm) and Galaxy Z Fold 5 (13.4mm).
Larger Display: A 12-inch screen means a more tablet-like experience compared to Samsung’s 7.6-inch inner screen.
Bigger Battery: A 5,000mAh battery suggests a significant endurance boostpossibly outperforming Samsung’s foldable phones.
Foldable iPhone: Display, Hinge & Build Details Samsung is reportedly supplying the foldable displayfeaturing Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) lens technologyexclusively for Apple.
The hinge mechanism is Apple-designed but will be manufactured by Taiwan-based suppliers.
An aluminum alloy middle frame is expected, ensuring durability without excessive weight.
Production & Sales ExpectationsAccording to supply chain sourcesApple is expected to:
Sell 8-10 million foldable iPhone units in 2026 Increase shipments to 20 million units by 2027
Foxconn is expected to handle production in 2026with Luxshare joining in 2027 to meet growing demand.
Final Thoughts: Will Apple Dominate the Foldable Market?Apple’s foldable iPhone is shaping up to be a premium, ultra-slim device with a large display, durable hinge, and high battery capacity. If Apple successfully executes this product, it could:
Disrupt Samsung’s dominance in the foldable phone market Bring a new level of refinement and usability to foldable devices Position itself as the leader in high-end foldable technology
