The long-awaited foldable iPhone, the subject of numerous rumors and speculation, is gaining concrete details. An insider known by the nickname HaYaO has revealed information about the device's design, specifications, and potential release date.
What else is known
According to the leak, the first foldable iPhone will adopt a «book» form factor, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, but with a significant difference in size. The internal display will reportedly reach a sizeable 12 inches, significantly exceeding current analogues, the diagonal of which fluctuates within 7-8 inches. It is expected that the thickness of the device when folded will be 9.2 mm, and when unfolded – 4.6 mm.
The hinge connecting the halves of the device is developed by Apple itself, and aluminum will be used for the side frame. The protection of the internal screen will be provided by the UTG Lens material, developed by Samsung at the request of Apple. It is assumed that this will be an improved version of the ultra-thin glass (UTG) used in Samsung's folding smartphones. The South Korean giant will also act as a supplier of flexible displays.
Unlike the multi-camera systems in traditional iPhones, the foldable device is rumored to be equipped with only two rear cameras: wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle. For the front camera, the possibility of using a metal lens, which is more compact and lighter than traditional modules, is being considered. The debut of this technology is likely to take place in the iPhone 17. The battery capacity will be 5000 mAh.
According to HaYaO, the release of the foldable iPhone is scheduled for the fall of 2026, simultaneously with the introduction of the iPhone 18 series. Apple expects to sell between 8 and 10 million devices in 2026 and 20 million in 2027. These predictions seem ambitious, especially considering that the current leader in the foldable smartphone market is estimated to sell about 5 million devices this year. The insider also added that a foldable iPad or MacBook is expected to be released in 2027.