We’re still over a year away from Apple’s first foldable iPhone launching. But per one analyst’s new report, prior rumors have apparently had a key detail of the foldable wrong. Thanks to the latest reveal, the new iPhone ‘Fold’ makes a lot more sense than before.
Long-rumored foldable iPhone is actually becoming real
In some ways, foldable iPhone rumors remind me of the long-gestating-then-cancelled Apple Car project.
For years, leakers have wrongly claimed Apple would be launching a foldable iPhone soon. But it’s only in the past year that those rumblings have started to carry some weight.
Multiple credible sources, such as Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Ming-Chi Kuo, and The Information, have said Apple’s first foldable iPhone is actually happening. And Apple is reportedly targeting a fall 2026 launch.
As of last summer, however, reporting pointed to a top-down fold design.
Like the flip phones of ancient times, this would allow the iPhone to be super compact when not in use, then unfold to offer a taller display.
But the latest reporting has taken a big turn.
iPhone will reportedly have book-style design, not top-down fold
Ming Chi-Kuo today posted an overview of what he expects from the 2026 foldable iPhone.
Amid a variety of fascinating details, Kuo writes:
The foldable iPhone will have a book-style design, featuring an approximately 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and an approximately 5.5-inch outer display.
This “book-style design” is a departure from what’s been previously thought.
Kuo’s strength, however, is his supply chain sources. And those are the exact sorts of people who would know details like this.
My early reaction, aside from surprise, has been two-fold: I’ve experienced relief and excitement.
Why? Because a book-style fold makes a lot more sense to me than what we expected before.
Foldable could be like an iPhone and iPad mini in one
One of my all-time favorite Apple devices is the iPad mini.
I haven’t used one much in recent years, since all my work is done on the 13-inch iPad Pro. I don’t want the mental overhead of managing a second iPad on top of an iPad Pro and iPhone.
But a foldable iPhone with the specs Kuo mentions could be like a perfect two-in-one device.
It would offer the convenience of an iPhone’s portability while also boasting an unfolded screen that comes awfully close to the 7.9 inch size of the old iPad minis I always loved.
Top comment by Yamil
I’m on the opposite camp. I prefer a top down approach. I want a smaller foot print in my pocket. The book style makes this a large, possibly thicker and heavier, iPhone in my pocket that becomes an iPad mini. Maybe they’ll offer both eventually.
A device like this clearly wouldn’t be Apple creating a foldable just for the sake of following a trend.
A book-style foldable iPhone would offer a truly new kind of utility not present in Apple’s current lineup.
The top-down folding iPhone didn’t make much sense to me, but this new reveal has me eager to learn more about 2026’s foldable debut.
Are you interested in the iPhone ‘Fold’? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
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