Foldable iPhone is coming sooner than you expected and will look nothing like Galaxy Z Fold 5

Earlier this year, a report suggested Apple wanted to make an outfolding iPhone but was concerned about the durability of such a design. It looks like all the issues have been addressed, as a new report says that the Cupertino giant is readying an iPhone with a 7.9-inch screen and a “wrap around foldable design.”

Except for Apple, every major smartphone manufacturer already has a foldable smartphone in its portfolio, but the iPhone maker seems to be in no rush and wants to make sure its first bendable smartphone is of a reasonable thickness and doesn’t have a crease running down the screen.

While it has no foldable device planned for this year, it’s planning to release a bendable 20.3-inch MacBook next year, according to Haitong International analyst Jeff Pu. The device will apparently resemble the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold.

After testing the waters with a foldable computer, which Apple allegedly thinks is less risky than a foldable iPhone, Apple will release its first foldable iPhone in 2026. Since the device is rumored to have a 7.9-inch screen, it will most certainly be a clamshell. Since it won’t be an infolding device like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, it won’t need two screens.

Like Huawei’s Mate Xs 2 (pictured in the header), it will fold outwards, which is why it won’t need two display. This could make it lighter than the current best foldable phones that have two displays and the single-screen design could also help Apple achieve its rumored goal of making a foldable phone with no crease and no gap between the two halves in the folded state.

According to an earlier report, Apple will kick mass production of the foldable MacBook in late 2025, followed by a foldable smartphone in late 2026. The devices will reportedly target the “ultra- high-end market” meaning they will be quite expensive.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.