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A folding iPhone concept. Photo: MG Bits

Although there are still many months to go before Apple launches its first foldable iPhone (tentatively called the iPhone Fold), expected in 2026, the leaked information so far is quite promising.

Apple removes the screen crease

It took Apple years to design a folding iPhone that it was truly happy with, because it wanted to completely eliminate the crease on the screen.

Most foldable smartphones today have a crease in the middle of the screen, which can be unsightly and affect the user experience.

Apple aims to deliver a completely flat screen, so users won't be distracted by the crease when using it.

No clamshell fold

Apple has experimented with a number of different designs, including a clamshell form factor like the Galaxy Z Flip. However, according to the latest rumors, Apple seems to have opted for a book-like folding design, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold. This would require iOS to be redesigned to work smoothly in both portrait and landscape modes.

Apple is currently developing iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 with a more consistent interface across devices. This improvement will make the operating systems more compatible with foldable screen designs.

Size is almost same as iPad mini

When folded, Apple's iPhone Fold will have a 5.5-inch outer display, smaller than current iPhones (at least 6.1 inches). But when opened, the inner display will be 7.8 inches in size, almost the same as the iPad mini (7.9 inches).

Imagine an iPad mini rotated horizontally, or two 6.1-inch iPhones side by side, and you'll get an idea of ​​the size of a foldable iPhone.

Thick when folded, super thin when opened

The foldable iPhone will apply technology from the iPhone 17 Air, helping the device reach a thickness of 4.5 - 4.8mm when opened - even thinner than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5.1mm), Apple's thinnest device currently.

However, when folded, the thickness of the device will be around 9 - 9.5mm, quite thick compared to current iPhones.

Touch ID instead of Face ID

Interestingly, Apple could integrate Touch ID into the power button instead of using Face ID on the foldable iPhone.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, if Apple cannot thin the TrueDepth camera cluster (used for Face ID) enough to achieve the desired screen thickness, Touch ID will be a reasonable alternative.

The price will be very expensive.

Foldable smartphones are always expensive, even for Android manufacturers. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold6 costs between 44 and 55 million VND.

For Apple, the price is expected to be in the range of 2,000 - 2,500 USD (about 51 - 64 million VND), significantly more expensive than current high-end iPhone models.

Even as leaks become more concrete, Apple’s continued testing could lead to design changes or even project cancellation. If Apple does indeed launch a foldable iPhone, consumers could see it as late as 2026, Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurman recently confirmed. Gurman also said the iPhone Fold would start at $2,000.

See the foldable iPhone concept with Touch ID design. (Source: ConceptsiPhone)

(According to Macrumors, TechRadar)

Will the foldable iPhone have a hinge made of special material, with durability surpassing that of its competitors? The foldable smartphone war is getting "hotter", as leaks of the foldable iPhone continue to reveal many outstanding features on Apple's device.