The new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air have just arrived, but Apple is already preparing a major innovation for next year: its first foldable iPhone. Informally referred to as the iPhone Fold, this model is rumored to bring groundbreaking features and a design that could mark a new era for the lineup.
Foldable displays like never before
Currently, iPhones range from 6.3 inches (iPhone 17) to 6.9 inches (iPhone 17 Pro Max). The iPhone Fold, however, is expected to combine both compact and expansive displays in a single device:
Inner display: ~7.8 inches
Outer display: ~5.5 inches
In practice, the inner display would be close to the 7.9-inch iPad mini before its slim-bezel redesign, while the outer screen should appeal to iPhone mini fans, as that discontinued model featured a 5.4-inch display.
Goodbye to the crease?
One of the biggest drawbacks of foldable smartphones has always been the visible crease in the display. Rumors suggest Apple has developed a crease-free inner screen, potentially setting a new standard in the foldable market.
A thinner design
Another highlight is thickness. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone Fold is expected to measure around 9–9.5 mm when folded and just 4.5–4.8 mm when unfolded — even thinner than the newly launched iPhone Air.
Camera setup
Reports indicate the iPhone Fold will feature a total of four cameras:
2 rear cameras (both 48MP, with the second rumored to be either Ultra Wide or Telephoto)
1 front camera for use when folded
1 front camera for use when unfolded
It’s also likely that Apple will carry over its Center Stage front camera tech from the iPhone 17, possibly adopting a punch-hole design — or even eliminating the cutout altogether.
Touch ID makes a comeback
Although Face ID has been a hallmark feature since the iPhone X, rumors claim the iPhone Fold may bring back Touch ID, integrated into the side button like on the iPad Air. This move would likely be due to space constraints, as including two full Face ID systems (one for each screen) would complicate the design.