First iPhone Foldable: What we know – and what we don't know yet

Is the foldable iPhone finally coming? First of all, you need to know what “now” means in this context: according to even the most optimistic rumor mongers, Apple's first foldable will probably not happen before 2026. But it could be ready for the first time in the fall of next year. Before that, the iPhone 17 Air, Apple's slimmest smartphone to date, will probably – be released in September 2025 –. This means that at least the first major form factor change is imminent. But what exactly will the iPhone Foldable, which does not yet have a name, deliver? Will Apple take its cue from competitors such as Samsung or Google – or go its own way? An overview.

Foldables are an old idea

First of all, you need to know that foldables have been around in the Android sector for years. Samsung, for example, has been offering foldable devices with a hinge and flexible OLED display since February 2019 – i.e., for six years –. The devices have now been thoroughly tested: While there were initially serious problems with durability (such as dust ingress and poorly durable hinges), these difficulties are now considered to have been fixed. Nevertheless, the devices have only partially established themselves on the market. On the one hand, this is due to the price, which can be as high as 1600 euros or more, and on the other hand, due to the possible applications. Although you get more screen area with a foldable when unfolded, this is square, so you have massive picture edges for movies and TV series that are shown in 16:9 format, for example. Nevertheless, the technology offers interesting possibilities, such as using several apps at the same time, which iOS does not currently support.

Despite the aforementioned issues with the square screen, Apple is apparently planning a foldable in book style. This means that when folded, it would be operated via a regular external display the size of a standard iPhone, which doubles in size when unfolded. An external display of 5.5 to 6.9 inches is conceivable, with an internal size of 7.8 to 8 inches. – In contrast to the competition – the screen should have virtually no folding edge thanks to innovative Apple technology. The hinges are also said to be very durable thanks to liquid metal alloy, yet light and thin. There could be cameras on the front and back, including a Dynamic Island inside. According to some analysts, the return of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor for unlocking is also expected.

iOS 19 with a new look – also for the foldable?

The battery life should be particularly long, which is why Apple is reportedly working on new battery technology. The particularly thin cells are already being tested in the iPhone 17 Air. The operating system should be specifically adapted to foldables, iOS 19 with its supposedly completely new look would provide a basis here.

Hopefully, Apple will bring multitasking functions that are better than what we already know from iPadOS. The price is certainly heading in the direction of a luxury product: prices starting at 2000 euros are considered realistic. It is unclear whether Apple is working on further revised form factors such as double foldables along the lines of Huawei. Such devices are already superior to classic foldables, even if there are also questions about their durability. It remains to be hoped that Apple has used the long time since the launch of the first devices to rule out such problems from the outset.

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