iPhone Fold launch in 2026: Price, battery, design, display and other details leaked
After watching rivals experiment with foldables for years, Apple is potentially preparing to enter the category in 2026 with a book-style iPhone that focuses on durability, battery life, and a nearly crease-free display. Here are the leaked details of the upcoming iPhone Fold’s price, battery, design, display, and more.
Apple is never in a hurry to chase trends, and the company’s approach to foldable phones follows the same script. While Android brands rushed to put folding screens into the hands of consumers, Apple spent years watching from the sidelines, quietly refining the ideas. That wait may finally be over. Based on growing supply-chain signals and multiple industry reports, Apple’s first foldable iPhone is now widely expected to arrive in 2026, which would mark one of the biggest design changes in iPhone history. Here are all the leaked details about the upcoming iPhone.
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iPhone Fold launch in 2026: Price, battery, design, display and other details leaked
design
The device, commonly referred to as the iPhone Fold, is expected to open like a book and unfold into a larger screen horizontally instead of vertically. This form factor suggests that Apple is targeting users who want a phone that can serve as a small tablet rather than a compact fashion-first device. Analysts tracking the product say the phone could remain relatively thin for a foldable, with thickness estimated to be less than 10mm when closed and less than 5mm when opened. Button placement is also said to be changing, with the volume controls moving to the top edge, while the power button remains on the side, a layout that mirrors Apple’s recent tablet designs.
performance, crease, build quality
The screen is expected to be the centerpiece of Apple’s foldable strategy. When folded closed, the external display sits around the 5.3- to 5.5-inch mark, giving users a familiar smartphone experience. Open up the device, and the internal display could stretch closer to 7.7 or 7.8 inches, which would push the iPhone into iPad-like territory. Reports suggest that Apple is experimenting with stronger protective layers on foldable panels, combining ultra-thin glass with advanced polymer films to improve durability without compromising clarity.
One of the biggest challenges with foldable phones has been the creases that appear along the fold. It is believed that Apple is adopting an aggressive engineering approach here. Industry watchers say the company is using a reinforced metal plate beneath the display to manage stress when the screen bends. The hinge itself is said to rely on liquid metal components, a material Apple has used before for its strength and resistance to distortion. If these reports are true, Apple is aiming to reduce the crease to the point where it’s barely noticeable during everyday use.
Build quality is another area where Apple isn’t willing to cut corners. The foldable iPhone is expected to use a titanium-based frame, paired with a hinge made from a blend of premium metals. According to analysts, it aims to avoid the problems with flexibility and long-term wear that have plagued some early foldable devices from other brands.
camera
The camera hardware on the iPhone Fold is likely to remain in line with Apple’s current philosophy, such as fewer sensors, carefully tuned. The leak points to a dual rear camera setup, with both lenses reportedly using 48-megapixel sensors. On the front, Apple is expected to include separate cameras for fold and unfold use. Some reports suggest that the inner screen may hide its cameras beneath the display, while the outer screen may have a small punch-hole cutout.
No Face ID?
Apple is also expected to drop Face ID on this model, to make room for a folding mechanism and a larger battery. Instead, Touch ID built into the side button is tipped to make a return, offering biometric security without taking up extra internal space. In terms of connectivity, the phone is expected to rely on Apple’s in-house C2 modem, marking the company’s move away from Qualcomm chips. The device is likely to be eSIM only, with no physical SIM tray.
Any battery details?
Battery life may be a quiet attraction. Supply chain reports claim that Apple is working with higher-density battery cells and thinning internal components to fit more capacity inside the chassis. If accurate, the iPhone Fold could have the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, which is a necessary step given the power demands of a larger folding display.
Colors, Prices (Leaked)
In terms of looks, Apple is said to be keeping things simple, at least initially. The current testing reportedly focuses on the black and white color options, with no confirmation on the bold finish yet. However, prices are expected to be anything but restrained. It is estimated that the foldable iPhone could cost between $1,800 and $2,500 in the US, which puts it in the ultra-premium category and makes it the most expensive iPhone to date.
iPhone Fold: No launch date yet?
As per the launch timeline, as per the leak, the device could launch in September 2026. It is believed to have moved into advanced development stages at Foxconn, with mass production targeted for the second half of 2026. While a delay to 2027 is still possible if Apple fixes key components like the hinge, Bloomberg reporters expect Apple to aim for a 2026 debut, in line with its traditional launch window.
