Contrary to earlier reports that Apple chose to develop only a book-style foldable iPhone set to launch toward the end of the year, the company now appears to be expanding its foldable lineup and has recently begun testing a flip-style model that folds into a square and fits into a pocket.
The move was reported by Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, known for his sources inside Apple, in his Power On newsletter. According to Gurman, such a foldable model is currently being tested in Apple’s labs, but development is still at an early stage and there is no timetable for a launch.
Many considerations
Apple has previously explored clamshell-style foldable devices. In 2024, leaks indicated the company built several prototypes of such a device for testing. After deliberation, Apple decided to focus initially on the larger, book-style foldable model.
The renewed interest in a flip design stems from the assumption that if the first foldable iPhone sells well and generates real demand for the category, consumers will be interested in a wider range of form factors. This was also Apple’s logic in expanding the iPhone lineup over the years to include Plus, Pro and Mini models.
Accordingly, an iPhone Flip would likely focus less on performance and more on portability, convenience and compact design. In any case, Gurman stresses that a decision to produce an ‘iPhone Flip’ has not yet been made and that it is ‘far from certain it will reach the market.’ By contrast, the launch of the foldable iPhone Fold is shaping up as almost certain.
According to leaks so far, similar to Samsung’s competing Galaxy Fold, Apple’s first foldable iPhone would open into a small tablet, with a display of about 7.8 inches, and would emphasize video performance, gaming and multitasking.
Will the central crease disappear?
Apple has reportedly managed to overcome the main issue that has yet to be fully solved in foldable devices: the slight crease that forms along the fold line in the center of the display when opened. Multiple reports say Apple will use a hinge made of ‘liquid metal,’ a trade name for a metallic glass alloy considered stronger and more resistant to deformation than titanium.
Samsung, meanwhile, recently unveiled a new foldable panel without a visible crease at CES 2026. Given that Apple sources many of its iPhone displays from Samsung, it is possible the same technology will be used.
The external display of the iPhone Fold, before opening, is expected to measure 5.5 inches, shorter than a standard iPhone. It may include the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, exceeding 5,500 milliamp-hours, along with two rear cameras. The device is expected to launch toward the end of the year alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
According to YouTuber Jon Prosser, the device’s thickness when closed is expected to be 9 millimeters, or about 4.5 millimeters when open — more than a millimeter thinner than the ‘iPhone Air’ at 5.6 millimeters — a design that would require an especially robust structure. Other reports, including from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, say the casing will be made of titanium combined with aluminum or stainless steel.
First published: 17:45, 02.02.26