The world of foldable phones is about to reach a turning point with the arrival of what will almost certainly be Apple's first foldable iPhone, unofficially known as the iPhone Fold . After years of rumors, patents, and prototypes hidden away in Cupertino's labs, leaks have skyrocketed, painting a fairly clear picture of what the company is preparing, especially regarding its major technical feat: an ultra-small fold of around 0,15 mm.
What's most striking about these leaks is that Apple isn't just entering the foldable market, but is doing so by addressing the biggest headache of these types of devices: the visible crease in the center of the flexible screen, both visually and to the touch . Everything points to the iPhone Fold using a combination of ultra-thin glass, a liquid metal hinge, and a next-generation OLED panel manufactured by Samsung Display to achieve an ultra-small crease of around 0,15 mm when the device is unfolded.
The big leap: a crease of only 0,15 mm on the iPhone Fold
In recent months, fairly specific details have emerged from China and other Asian markets, primarily through leakers like Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, all pointing to a key issue: Apple has reportedly managed to reduce the crease depth of the iPhone Fold to less than 0,15 mm when fully open . To give you an idea, this is such a slight indentation that it would be barely perceptible, even when running a finger over it.
This shallow depth would be accompanied by a crease angle of around 2,5 degrees , meaning the curvature of the screen's center when unfolded. The smaller this angle, the flatter the surface appears and the less noticeable the typical crease seen on other foldable phones. Analysts and leakers who have had access to internal documentation speak openly of a screen that is "virtually crease-free" or has "no trace of creasing" under normal use.
This advancement comes after the foldable market has been refining its designs generation after generation. Samsung, with its Galaxy Z Fold family, has significantly improved the visibility and depth of the crease , but it remains clearly noticeable when viewing the screen at certain angles or when sliding a finger along the center. According to leaks, Apple's goal is to make its iPhone Fold the industry standard in this regard.
Initial reports on production suggest that Apple has already ordered the specific machinery to manufacture these foldable panels , a move that aligns with the idea of ​​a commercial launch in 2026. These orders have reportedly allowed for the leaking of specific parameters such as the 0,15 mm depth and the angle of less than 2,5 degrees, something unusual in the early stages of development.
Unlike other foldable phones that still show a noticeable crease in the inner screen, sources insist that, in the case of the iPhone Fold, the crease will be barely visible and difficult to distinguish by touch . To put it in context, it's often compared to the thickness of a human hair, which ranges approximately between 0,017 and 0,18 mm: we're talking about a crease that's on that same order of magnitude or even smaller.
Ultra-thin glass (UTG) and polyimide layer: this is how an almost invisible fold is achieved
One of the biggest differences between the iPhone Fold and many competitors lies in the materials Apple has chosen for its flexible screen. While other manufacturers still use CPI (colorless polyimide) plastics as the top layer , here the focus is on ultra-thin glass (UTG, Ultra Thin Glass) , a material we've already seen in some foldable phones, but which Apple has taken a step further.
According to leaks, Corning would supply the ultra-thin glass base sheet , while the Chinese company Lens Technology would handle processing, cutting, and reinforcing it to reduce microcracks and improve flexural strength. Lens's experience working with this type of glass would have been key to achieving the necessary curvature without compromising durability.
On top of that UTG glass, Apple is reportedly testing an additional layer of transparent polyimide , not as the main screen material, but as extra protection against bumps and scratches. This hybrid approach would significantly change the tactile feel compared to other foldable phones: the goal is for the user to feel like they are touching real glass, not a soft plastic sheet.
This combination of materials would allow the crease area to maintain a clean, wrinkle-free appearance even after thousands of opening and closing cycles . Apple has reportedly been working for years on how to adapt the glass to the hinge's movement, using internal metal plates and intermediate layers to better distribute stress during each flex.
Meanwhile, rumors suggest that Apple has already begun trial production of these foldable panels with its partners, which aligns with analysts' comments placing the project in an advanced stage of development. However, no one is yet willing to claim that the crease will completely disappear, partly because a key factor remains to be seen: how the screen ages after months of actual use.
A Samsung Display OLED with CoE: more brightness and less thickness
The technological aspect isn't limited to just the glass. Leaks suggest that Samsung Display has developed a custom OLED panel for the iPhone Fold , different from what we see in the Galaxy Fold, with an architecture designed to reduce thickness and improve brightness. The key lies in the use of a color-on-encapsulation (CoE) filter.
Conventional OLEDs typically use a polarizing layer that increases thickness and reduces brightness. With the CoE solution, this polarizer is completely eliminated, resulting in a thinner and brighter screen —a particularly important advantage in foldable devices, where every fraction of a millimeter counts and the fold is significantly affected by the overall thickness of the layered sandwich.
The comments from analysts and leakers regarding this panel are quite compelling: they speak of an iPhone Fold with an internal screen that is "virtually seamless ," based on previous demonstrations of similar panels that Samsung showcased at trade shows like CES. In those prototypes, an almost smooth surface was already visible, even at very close range.
On the outside, leaks agree that the iPhone Fold will have a secondary screen between 5,3 and 5,5 inches , designed to allow users to use the phone like a regular iPhone without constantly opening it. The internal screen will be around 7,76-7,8 inches, with a resolution close to 2.713 x 1.920 pixels and a 4:3 aspect ratio , very similar to the iPad mini, which would reinforce the feeling of using a small iPad when unfolded.
This book-like format, similar in concept to the Galaxy Z Fold but with more squared proportions, would allow for better use of space for multitasking, reading, and content consumption. The leaked CAD renders show a device with two screens integrated into a unibody chassis , as if the metal body and panels were perfectly fitted pieces, without the feeling of two devices glued together.
However, these renders still show a slight division in the inner screen, presumably where the fold would be located. Sources clarify that this is a schematic representation and not the actual visual experience, as Apple's approach is to offer a single, continuous surface , not two separate panels like in older foldable designs from other brands.
Liquid metal hinge and ultra-thin chassis: 15 years of development
The other major piece of the puzzle is the hinge. In a foldable device, the mechanism that allows it to open and close is just as important as the screen itself, because it determines both the aesthetics and the durability of the whole. In the case of the iPhone Fold, Apple has reportedly opted for a hinge made of liquid metal, an amorphous alloy they have been researching for over 15 years.
This type of material is obtained by rapidly cooling an alloy after heating it , so that its atoms do not fully align as in a classic crystalline metal. The result is a structure with very interesting mechanical properties: greater resistance to deformation, better shock absorption, and less tendency to bend permanently. In practice, it feels similar to stainless steel, with a robust and premium finish.
Regarding the phone's body, reports from analysts like Jeff Pu indicate that Apple will combine titanium and aluminum in the chassis . Titanium would be used in high-stress areas, especially near the hinge and frames, to prevent warping over time. Aluminum, meanwhile, would help reduce weight and improve heat dissipation, crucial for a device with such power and a large screen.
In terms of dimensions, leaks suggest an approximate thickness of 4,5 mm when the iPhone Fold is fully open and between 9 and 9,5 mm when folded . On paper, this would place it among the thinnest foldable phones on the market, making it feel much like a conventional iPhone when unfolded.
All this work on the hinge and chassis isn't just about improving aesthetics. It also has a direct impact on the hinge's lifespan: the more precise and stable the hinge, the better the mechanical stress is distributed across the glass, and the lower the risk of fatigue failure in the central area. Apple reportedly designed the system to minimize point stresses and prevent the glass from always being subjected to the exact same flex point.
Design, screens and biometrics: a book-like foldable iPhone
In terms of design, everything points to the iPhone Fold clearly adopting a book-style format, discarding the idea of ​​a clamshell fold (Flip-style), at least in this first generation. The idea is to offer a device that, when closed, is similar in size to an iPhone mini, and that, when opened, transforms into a kind of compact iPad mini.
On the front, with the device closed, we would find an external screen between 5,3 and 5,49 inches , with an approximate resolution of 2.088 x 1.422 pixels. This screen would allow the iPhone Fold to be used like a normal phone for quick tasks: replying to messages, checking notifications, browsing the web, or making calls without needing to open the device.
When unfolded, the 7,76-7,8 inch internal screen comes into play , with a resolution close to 2.713 x 1.920 pixels and an aspect ratio similar to 4:3. This panel would be the absolute star for watching series, playing games, editing photos, or working with several apps simultaneously, taking full advantage of the tablet format. The main difference compared to other foldable phones would be its almost flat surface, without the pronounced crease we now associate with this type of device.
Regarding colors and finishes, leaks suggest a titanium body with black and silver options , at least at launch. Sources like Mark Gurman maintain that we won't see a particularly "fun" color palette in this first generation, but rather more subdued tones, aimed at an audience seeking a very premium and relatively discreet product.
One of the more interesting design details is the biometric system. Apple has reportedly decided to forgo Face ID in this model and instead use a Touch ID fingerprint reader integrated into the side button . This solution makes unlocking the phone easier regardless of whether it's open or closed, and avoids the problems associated with placing sensors and TrueDepth camera systems under a flexible display.
On the back, leaks point to a dual-camera module with two 48-megapixel main sensors , one standard and one ultra-wide. The front-facing camera in the external display would be around 18 megapixels, while the internal camera could be a 24-megapixel sensor hidden beneath the screen itself, reducing cutouts and holes in the flexible panel.
Performance and battery: A20 Pro at 2nm and the largest battery in an iPhone
At the heart of the iPhone Fold, we would find a next-generation chip. Various sources agree that it will debut the A20 Pro SoC, manufactured using a 2nm process by TSMC , the same processor expected for the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. This leap in lithography should translate into more power and, above all, better energy efficiency, something crucial in a device with two screens.
Alongside the processor, there's talk of 12 GB of RAM , a figure that would place it above many current iPhones and makes sense for a device designed for intensive multitasking, tablet-like use, and potential advanced productivity features. Storage configurations would start at 256 GB, with higher options for those needing more space.
In terms of connectivity, leaks mention the new C2 and N2 wireless chips , designed to improve communication between internal components and optimize the energy consumption of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other radio systems. Support for 5G mmWave with a next-generation C2 modem is also expected , at least in markets where this technology is deployed.
Another major change would involve the SIM card: the iPhone Fold would rely solely on eSIM, completely eliminating the physical tray . This decision has already been seen in some markets with other iPhone models and aligns with Apple's focus on saving internal space and simplifying the design.
To power all of this, rumors suggest a battery between 5.400 and 5.800 mAh, the largest ever fitted to an iPhone . This extra capacity is essential to cover the power consumption of the large internal screen and multitasking functions, and to take advantage of the A20 Pro chip's increased efficiency. The new C2 and N2 chips would also play a key role in extending real-world usage time.
The big question: how will the fold age with actual use?
While the figures for the fold are impressive, there's one point that all analysts identify as the big unknown: the fold's durability in the medium and long term . That 0,15 mm figure refers to a brand-new iPhone Fold, but what will be truly interesting is seeing what happens after six months or a year of intensive use, with thousands of openings and closings.
Until now, no foldable product has managed to keep the crease completely invisible after prolonged use. It's pure physics of materials: any surface that is repeatedly folded is subject to "fatigue failure ," a phenomenon by which tiny micro-cracks can appear and grow over time until they become visible or compromise the integrity of the product.
Apple is reportedly subjecting the iPhone Fold to laboratory tests involving hundreds of thousands of opening and closing cycles to provide an official durability figure, just as it has done in the past with other iPhones. These tests don't perfectly simulate real-world use, but they provide a good indication of how well the ultra-thin glass, liquid metal hinge, and other components will hold up over time.
It's also expected that, once the product launches, the classic extreme tests from YouTube and social media will be inevitable , bending the phone in questionable ways or forcing the hinge beyond reasonable limits. This will help visualize the design's safety margin, although it won't always reflect normal, everyday use.
In any case, even with all this technology, we must remain realistic: we're still talking about a device with moving parts and a flexible screen , so some wear and tear over the years is inevitable. The important thing will be to see to what extent Apple has managed to make that aging slow, gradual, and, above all, barely noticeable to the average user.
iPhone Fold launch, price, and availability
Regarding the timeline, most leaks agree that Apple will unveil the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026. Some initial reports suggested a possible earlier launch or even a joint presentation with the non-folding iPhone 18 models, but the September window fits well with the company's usual strategy.
It has also been reported that Apple has already begun production of the foldable panels and ordered the specific machinery to manufacture them , which reinforces the idea that the device is quite advanced. However, analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo have already warned that there will be stock problems until at least 2027 due to the complexity of producing these panels to such a high quality standard.
There's considerable consensus that it won't be a cheap phone. Various sources place the price between $1.800 and $2.500 , which could translate to around €1.700-€2.400 in Europe, and there's even talk of a starting price of around €1.999 for the basic 256GB internal storage model.
This price point would clearly place it above the current iPhone 17 Pro Max , which costs around €1.469 in its most affordable configuration, and bring it closer to other "ultra" foldable phones on the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 or the Honor Magic V5, both launching at around €2.000. The "ultra" or premium niche product label seems more than deserved.
Although it might compromise on some features compared to the iPhone 18 Pro (such as having two rear cameras instead of three), the foldable nature of the device and the innovative screen largely justify the higher price . The idea is to position it as an aspirational product, not as the iPhone for everyone.
Looking at the array of rumors and leaks, the iPhone Fold is shaping up to be one of the most daring and different devices in Apple's history since the first iPhone in 2007. If the company manages to deliver on its promises regarding the reduced crease, screen quality, hinge design, and battery life, we could be looking at the model that finally pushes foldable phones into the mainstream and sets the standard that other manufacturers will try to reach in the coming years.
