Key Points
- Apple has reportedly submitted production orders for its first foldable iPhone, expected to launch in 2026.
- The device will feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display in a book-style design.
- Crease measurements are said to be under 0.15 mm in depth and below 2.5 degrees in angle, making folds less visible.
- The display panel is reportedly developed by Samsung, described as “virtually crease-free.”
- Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the device will include multiple cameras and Touch ID integrated into the power button.
Production Orders Signal Launch
Apple has reportedly moved its foldable iPhone into production, according to Chinese leaker accounts on Weibo. Assembly lines are said to have received orders, revealing details about the crease measurements of the device’s 7.8-inch inner display.
Crease Control and Display Innovation
The foldable iPhone’s crease depth is reportedly controlled to under 0.15 mm, while the crease angle is kept below 2.5 degrees. These figures suggest a smoother, less noticeable fold compared to existing devices.
Apple is expected to use a new Samsung-developed display panel that has never been applied to foldable products before. Reports describe it as “virtually crease-free,” potentially solving one of the biggest challenges in foldable smartphone design.
Design and Features
The device is expected to adopt a book-style design, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a clamshell format. When unfolded, it will measure just 4.5 mm thick, and between 9 mm and 9.5 mm when closed.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested the foldable iPhone will include:
- Two rear cameras
- One front-facing camera
- A selfie camera on the inner display
- Touch ID integrated into the power button
Context: Apple’s Biggest Form Factor Shift Since 2007
If confirmed, the foldable iPhone would represent Apple’s most significant design change since the launch of the original iPhone in 2007. Competing brands rarely publish crease measurements, making Apple’s reported figures difficult to compare, but the company’s reputation for premium hardware raises expectations for a breakthrough in foldable technology.
What Happens Next?
Apple is widely expected to unveil the foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026. If successful, the device could redefine the foldable market and set a new standard for durability and design in smartphones.
