Apple is planning to release a foldable iPhone in 2026, featuring a larger inner display and several innovative features, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
The device will open like a book, revealing a larger inner display akin to Android foldables. It will incorporate a total of four cameras: one on the front screen, another on the inside, and two on the rear. The rear camera setup will include a primary, higher-resolution camera for general photography and a secondary camera for either ultra-wide or telephoto shots. When unfolded, the internal screen will utilize a fifth camera lens for selfie purposes. When closed, the phone will have an outward-facing touchscreen in the 5-6 inch range.
For biometrics, Apple will use Touch ID, integrating a fingerprint sensor into the side button, driven by the foldable iPhone’s strict thinness requirements. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously indicated the device would measure approximately 9.5mm when closed, necessitating each half to be less than 5mm thick, making it thinner than any previous iPhone. The TrueDepth camera system required for Face ID would simply not fit inside such a thin enclosure.
In terms of connectivity, the foldable iPhone will feature Apple’s in-house cellular modem. The Apple C1 modem, which debuted in the iPhone 16e and will also be used in the iPhone 17 Air, will be succeeded by the next-generation C2 modem. The C supporting faster speeds, supporting faster speeds, will be integrated into the foldable device.
The 2025 iPhone 17 Air and the 2026 foldable iPhone will also lack a SIM card slot on all models, following the trend of current iPhones omitting SIM card slots in regions outside of the U.S.
As Apple’s inaugural foldable device, it is anticipated to be a popular model, with pricing being a key factor. High-end Android foldable phones already cost upwards of $1800, suggesting that Apple’s offering will likely be priced similarly or higher.
Gurman also reports that Apple will initially offer the foldable iPhone in only black or white color options. Suppliers are expected to begin ramping up production early next year, targeting a consumer fall release.
Looking ahead to 2027, Apple plans to redesign the standard pro iPhone with a brand new all-glass design. The iPhone 17 lineup, expected in 2026, will maintain a similar front design to the current iPhone 16 models. However, the iPhone 17 will feature a new rectangular design for the protruding camera module. The iPhone 17 Air will be a notably thin addition to the lineup.
