Rumors about foldable iPhones have circulated for many years , but recent reports have suggested that Apple is finally getting closer to announcing its new product. Apple is reportedly working on two foldable products, a clamshell foldable iPhone and a giant 20-inch foldable iPad, but the foldable iPhone is on track to debut first.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is reportedly going to be a clamshell folding device, something akin to the or – with a display size similar to a typical phone, just with the ability to fold inwards and be smaller in your pocket.

Recent reports from The Wall Street Journal have suggested that the foldable iPhone will have a screen size larger than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, meaning it’ll offer an at least 7-inch display:

The company is also planning two foldable devices, the people said. A larger device, intended to serve as a laptop, would have a screen that unfolds to be nearly as large as some desktop monitors, at about 19 inches. A smaller model would unfold to a display size that would be larger than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, intended to serve as a foldable iPhone, the people said.

Some internal challenges with developing a have included reducing crease visibility, improving the hinge, and creating a good material for the display cover. Apple aims to have all of this figured out by the time they release.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone will reportedly bolster a declining foldable market, according to the Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC).

From 2019 to 2023, the foldable market enjoyed a staggering 40% year over year growth rate. However, the group believes that’ll slow significantly to around 5% growth in 2024, and the market will actually begin facing a sales decline beginning in 2025:

DSCC’s latest report on the foldable and rollable/slidable display market for all display applications shows that the foldable smartphone market has stalled. After enjoying at least 40% growth per year from 2019-2023, DSCC now believes the foldable smartphone display market will rise just 5% in 2024 and fall by 4% in 2025. Demand has stalled at around 22M panels.

However, the group believes that Apple stepping into the market could cause a rapid increase in foldable demand, as the company could bring new functionality to the table. I’ve personally heard many people state that they like the concept of the , but just can’t ditch their iPhone.

According to multiple sources , Apple’s first foldable iPhone will debut in the second half of 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. This presumes there aren’t any more developmental delays. In mid 2024, Apple assigned a new V68 codename to the project – suggesting that this product has moved past just the prototyping stage, and we should expect to see it in our hands in the not-too-distant future.

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