27/08/2026
Nicole Newton

iPhone Fold leaks: what we know about Apple’s first foldable

Apple has never been one to rush into a new product category, but after years of watching Samsung, Google and other brands experiment with foldable phones, it looks like it could finally be ready to join the party.

Rumours surrounding an Apple foldable phone have been circulating for years, but recent leaks suggest the wait could soon be over. Apple is widely expected to unveil its first folding iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026, bringing one of the biggest changes to the iPhone since its launch.

So, what can we expect from the iPhone Fold? From its folding display to its cameras, price and potential release date, here’s everything the rumours have told us so far.

In this blog:

What is the iPhone Fold?

The iPhone Fold (or the iPhone Ultra, for some) is the name widely being used for Apple’s rumoured first foldable smartphone – although Apple hasn’t confirmed that this will be its official name.

Rather than opting for a flip-phone design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, rumours suggest Apple has settled on a book-style design. This would give you a smaller screen to use when the phone is closed before opening out to reveal a much larger, tablet-like display.

Essentially, think iPhone on the outside and mini iPad on the inside.

The foldable iPhone is expected to sit alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at the premium end of Apple’s line-up rather than replacing either model.

What will the foldable iPhone look like?

According to the latest leaks, the Apple folding phone could have a 5.5-inch outer display for everyday use and a much larger 7.8-inch display when unfolded.

The inner screen is expected to have a wider 4:3 aspect ratio, giving the iPhone Fold an almost passport-like shape rather than the taller design seen on some existing foldables. When opened, its screen would be only slightly smaller than an iPad mini.

Apple is also reportedly going big on making the device thin. Current rumours suggest it could measure around 4.5mm thick when unfolded and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed.

But arguably the biggest challenge Apple has faced with its first folding iPhone is something every foldable manufacturer has had to tackle: the crease.

Reports suggest Apple has spent years working on ways to make the crease running through the centre of the display as unnoticeable as possible. Recent leaks claim the final design could have a minimal or almost invisible crease – something that could help the Apple foldable phone stand out in an increasingly busy foldable market.

Will the iPhone Fold have Face ID?

Here’s where things get interesting. Despite Face ID being a staple of Apple’s flagship phones for years, rumours suggest the iPhone Fold could ditch it completely.

Instead, the foldable iPhone is expected to use Touch ID built into a button on the side of the device, similar to the system used on some iPad models.

Why go backwards? It could all come down to space. Apple is reportedly determined to keep its folding iPhone as thin as possible, and fitting all the components needed for Face ID into such a slim design could prove tricky.

If the rumours are accurate, the Apple folding phone could mark the first flagship iPhone to use Touch ID instead of Face ID in years.

What cameras will the iPhone Fold have?

The iPhone Fold is expected to come with four cameras in total, although its rear camera system may not be quite as advanced as the one found on the iPhone 18 Pro.

Current leaks point towards two 48MP rear cameras – a main and an Ultra Wide – rather than the three-camera setup typically found on Apple’s Pro models. That means there may be no dedicated Telephoto camera for optical zoom.

The foldable iPhone is also rumoured to feature cameras on both its outer and inner displays. Some reports suggest Apple could even use an under-display camera on the larger folding screen, helping to keep the display looking as uninterrupted as possible.

So, while the Apple foldable phone could be Apple’s most futuristic-looking iPhone yet, photography fans may still find more to love about the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

How powerful will the iPhone Fold be?

A brand-new form factor doesn’t mean Apple is expected to skimp on what’s inside.

The iPhone Fold is rumoured to use Apple’s new A20 chip, which is expected to be built using a 2nm manufacturing process. The new chip could bring improvements to both performance and energy efficiency compared to the previous generation.

Rumours have also pointed towards 12GB of RAM, which would give the folding iPhone plenty of power for multitasking – particularly useful when you’ve got a much larger display to play with.

Battery life will be another big consideration. Powering two displays while keeping the phone impressively thin isn’t exactly an easy task, but some leaks suggest Apple could fit its biggest iPhone battery yet inside the iPhone Fold.

When will the iPhone Fold be released?

The iPhone Fold is currently expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026.

Interestingly, Apple is rumoured to be changing its usual release schedule with the iPhone 18 generation. While the Pro models and Apple foldable phone are expected to take centre stage in autumn, the standard iPhone 18 could reportedly arrive later.

There’s still some uncertainty around exactly when you’ll be able to buy the foldable iPhone, though. Reports have suggested that manufacturing the new hinge and display has proven challenging, meaning availability could initially be limited or the device could go on sale later than the other models announced at Apple’s September event.

Some rumours have even suggested the folding iPhone might not reach customers until later in 2026, so we wouldn’t mark launch day in the calendar just yet.

How much will the iPhone Fold cost?

If you were hoping Apple’s first foldable might be a bargain, you might want to look away now.

Current estimates put the iPhone Fold firmly at the top end of Apple’s smartphone range, with rumours suggesting a starting price of around £2,000 or potentially even higher.

Apple hasn’t announced official pricing – or the phone itself, for that matter – so take those figures with a hefty pinch of salt for now.

One thing does seem likely, though: the Apple folding phone won’t be positioned as an alternative to the standard iPhone 18. Instead, it’s expected to be an ultra-premium device aimed at those who want the latest Apple tech and don’t mind paying for it.

Is Apple’s first folding iPhone worth getting excited about?

Apple might be late to the foldable phone party, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

We’ve already seen several generations of foldables from rival brands, giving Apple plenty of time to see what works – and, more importantly, what doesn’t. If it can deliver the thin design, minimal screen crease and tablet-like display suggested by the leaks, the iPhone Fold could be one of Apple’s most interesting launches in years.

Of course, everything we know about the foldable iPhone is still based on leaks and rumours. Apple hasn’t officially confirmed its first foldable, so its final name, design, specs and release date could all change.

But with the iPhone 18 generation getting closer, we hopefully won’t have too much longer to wait before we find out whether Apple’s first fold really is worth all the hype.

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