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For years, the tech world has buzzed with whispers of a foldable iPhone, and it seems the wait is almost over. Apple is set to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, finally stepping into a product category that's been around over seven years, largely dominated by Samsung.
This isn't Apple's usual grand entrance with a completely revolutionary new interface or groundbreaking hardware.
If you've not yet experienced a foldable phone in person, their charm lies in their clever design: small enough to slip into a pocket or bag when folded, yet unfolding to reveal a larger, almost tablet-sized screen.
While Apple might not be revolutionalising foldables, the years of loyal Apple enthusiasts waiting for this moment have certainly built up a huge amount of anticipation.
Apple's Take On Foldables
The company is reportedly focusing heavily on tackling some of the foldable category's long-standing challenges. Their aim is to make the inner display crease significantly less visible and to dramatically improve the hinge mechanism, which are issues that's a thorn in foldable users' sides for some time.
Furthermore, with the development of iOS 27, Apple will prioritise new features specifically designed to take advantage of this unique form factor.
Reports from respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest that Apple will adopt a "crease-free display solution," rather than developing their own from scratch.
Dimensions and Specifications (Rumoured)
The first foldable iPhone is currently rumoured to feature a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded, complemented by a 5.5-inch outer display for quick interactions when closed.
In terms of thickness, it's likely to measure approximately 4.5mm when unfolded and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded. To put this into perspective, Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold7 is slightly thinner at 4.2mm unfolded and 8.9mm folded, and also includes three rear cameras compared to Apple's anticipated two.
Why Now? Why Not Before?
According to Bloomberg, one major reason Apple is finally embracing foldables is the format's surging popularity in China and the company is keen to regain ground in this particular market.
Local brands such as Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei, and Vivo have already launched successful foldable models, and consumers in the region have shown a particular preference for the "book-style" form factor — precisely the design Apple appears to be pursuing — over the "flip-phone" style.
MacRumors reported that the new foldable iPhone is expected be priced between $1,800 and $2,000 (approximately RM7,631 and RM8,479). For comparison, Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold7 begins at RM7,799.
As we're supposedly a year away from its launch, more details are expected to emerge. It seems Apple is indeed ready to fold into the future, hoping to make its mark in the growing foldable market.
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