15/04/2025
IS THE FOLDABLE IPHONE REALLY THE FUTURE – OR JUST AN EXPENSIVE EXPERIMENT?
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Apple is reportedly gearing up to enter the foldable smartphone arena with its first-ever folding iPhone – the iPhone Fold. This upcoming device is expected to feature a book-style foldable design, dual displays, and cutting-edge technology that could redefine Apple’s mobile hardware approach.
According to well-known leaker Digital Chat Station on Chinese social media platform Weibo, the foldable iPhone will sport an inner display measuring approximately 7.76 inches, with a resolution of 2713 x 1920. Most notably, this screen may integrate an under-display camera – a bold move toward a truly full-screen design.
The secondary (outer) display is said to measure 5.49 inches with a resolution of 2088 x 1422 and will feature a punch-hole front-facing camera. Earlier, Digital Chat Station also claimed that the inner screen would adopt a 4:3 aspect ratio – information later confirmed by reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who also emphasized that Apple aims to eliminate crease lines on the folding screen.
This is the first time rumors suggest the iPhone Fold could come equipped with an under-display camera – a feature Apple has long been rumored to be developing. However, under-display Face ID remains a technological challenge, as it involves several complex components like infrared cameras, dot projectors, and ambient light sensors.
Some sources suggest that Apple is also working on a foldable iPad, which could share similar design principles – including Face ID hidden beneath the screen. This might hint at Apple’s strategic plan to unify the foldable aesthetics across multiple product lines.
Another major shift comes in the form of biometric authentication. Ming-Chi Kuo believes the iPhone Fold will not feature Face ID, likely to preserve internal space. Instead, Apple may opt for a side-mounted Touch ID sensor embedded in the power button. The rear camera system is expected to include two lenses, delivering essential photographic capabilities without compromising the slim form factor.
Apple is said to be developing under-display Face ID technology alongside the under-display camera, but it may not be ready until the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025. Even then, some Face ID components could remain in small punch holes, as the complete removal of the notch is still a work in progress.
Apple’s usual strategy is to delay the adoption of new technologies until they are fully optimized – suggesting that if an under-display camera does debut in the iPhone Fold, the image quality will be on par with, or even better than, current standards.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone Fold is expected to launch in 2026, with an estimated price of $2,000 USD. Analyst Jeff Pu added that the device has already entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn and mass production could begin in the second half of 2026.
The iPhone Fold is also likely to benefit from the advancements Apple is making with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air – which is expected to replace the Plus model in the current lineup – including upgrades in display, battery, modem, and chip performance.
If all the leaks and predictions prove accurate, the iPhone Fold could become a milestone product, marking Apple’s bold entry into the foldable market with a balance of innovation, elegant design, and optimized user experience.
