Apple is working on its first foldable iPhone, targeting a release in 2026 as part of a broader plan to reinvent the iPhone lineup. The device is expected to feature a book-style design that unfolds into a compact tablet, marking Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable category.
Book-style design with five cameras
According to Bloomberg, the foldable iPhone is code-named V68 and will ship with five cameras, including one on the front, one inside the folding display, and several on the back. In a notable shift from recent models, it is tipped to use Touch ID instead of Face ID, offering biometric security through a familiar system redesigned for a new form factor.
Powered by Apple’s new C2 modem
The device will also debut Apple’s C2 modem, the company’s first cellular chip designed to match Qualcomm’s most advanced offerings. By bringing modem technology in-house, Apple is continuing its long-term strategy to reduce reliance on outside suppliers while improving hardware and software integration. This should provide performance and power efficiency gains that are crucial for a foldable device, where battery constraints are more pronounced.
Display technology reduces crease visibility
Bloomberg reports that Apple initially considered using on-cell touch sensors for the foldable display, but this approach created visible air gaps and made the crease more pronounced when unfolded. Apple has since shifted to in-cell touch screen technology, which integrates the sensors directly into the display. This change is expected to reduce crease visibility and improve touch responsiveness, making the foldable feel more natural in everyday use.
Launch timeline and colors
Apple’s suppliers are preparing to ramp up production in early 2026, pointing to a fall release that aligns with the company’s traditional iPhone cycle. Early prototypes are being tested in black and white finishes, keeping the color choices simple at launch while the technology establishes itself.
A key step in Apple’s three-year reinvention plan
The foldable iPhone will not arrive in isolation. It forms part of Apple’s three-year strategy to revitalize the iPhone, starting with the slimmer iPhone 17 Air in 2025 and culminating in a curved-glass iPhone 20 in 2027. By spacing out these changes, Apple is gradually shifting away from the design stagnation of recent years and setting the stage for the iPhone’s next decade. The foldable iPhone is particularly significant because it represents Apple’s entry into a category that rivals like Samsung and Huawei have dominated, yet one where consumers have long awaited Apple’s premium interpretation.
