Apple waited seven years longer than everyone else. Samsung shipped the first Galaxy Fold in 2019, Google and the Chinese manufacturers followed, and Apple said nothing.
That ends this autumn. Everything coming out of the supply chain says Apple will introduce its first foldable in September 2026 — and it does not look like a device built just to be present in the category.
The name: probably not iPhone Fold
Although the press has settled on iPhone Fold, the evidence points to an official name of iPhone Ultra. No number, no 18 — Apple is positioning this as its own top-tier line rather than a variant of an existing model.
That tracks with the pricing. When you are asking twice what a Pro Max costs, you do not want the product to read as the iPhone 18, but bent.
What it looks like
It is a book-style fold — it opens like a book, wider than it is tall.
- Closed: outer display around 5.49 inches (2,088 x 1,422)
- Open: inner display around 7.76 inches (2,713 x 1,920), 4:3 aspect ratio — closer to an iPad than a phone
- Thickness: roughly 4.5 mm open, 9–9.5 mm closed
So it is thicker than a regular iPhone when closed, and thinner than anything Apple currently sells when open.
The crease: where the engineering went
The standing complaint against every foldable has been the same — a visible, tangible line down the middle of the screen. This is reportedly where Apple spent most of its effort:
- crease depth under 0.15 mm
- fold angle under 2.5 degrees
- a liquid metal hinge for durability
- a custom Samsung panel with integrated touch sensors
- a structural glass mid-frame that further reduces crease visibility
If that holds up in the real world, it would be the first foldable where you simply do not notice the crease day to day. Emphasis on if — these are still rumors.
Touch ID makes a comeback
An interesting twist: the device is expected to use Touch ID in the power button rather than Face ID. The reason is mundane — the TrueDepth array does not fit in a 4.5 mm chassis.
Up front, expect a 24 MP under-display camera, which would be an industry first in this form if it is confirmed.
Cameras, chip, battery
- Rear cameras: two — 48 MP main and 48 MP ultra-wide. No telephoto, a clear sacrifice to thinness.
- Chip: A20 on a 2 nm process — roughly 15% faster, 30% more efficient
- RAM: 12 GB
- Battery: dual-cell, 5,400–5,800 mAh total — the largest ever in an iPhone
- Modem: Apple's own C2, with mmWave 5G and satellite connectivity
- SIM: eSIM only, no tray
The price: brace yourself
Estimates run from 2,000 to 2,500 US dollars for the base configuration, with some analysts suggesting the top of the range could reach 3,000. By storage tier, based on figures published so far:
| Storage | Estimated price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 256 GB | ~2,320 |
| 512 GB | ~2,610 |
| 1 TB | ~2,900 |
In European retail, with VAT and margin, that realistically lands well north of 2,300 euros. This is not a phone price any more; it is its own category.
One more note: supply-chain sources suggest initial volumes will be limited. If you want one, the first pre-order wave is probably the only realistic shot before spring.
What this means for your accessories
Here is where it gets practical — and where the traps are.
1. MagSafe is not mentioned in any current rumor. That is a big deal. If it is confirmed, the magnetic car mounts, magnetic power banks and MagSafe stands you use today will not work on the foldable. That leaves standard Qi wireless charging and a cable. Before you invest in a magnetic ecosystem this autumn, wait for official confirmation.
2. Biggest battery does not mean longest runtime. Two displays and a 7.76-inch panel draw serious power. In practice, foldables rarely beat conventional flagships on endurance. A power bank with USB-C PD output is still the highest-value accessory you can buy alongside a device in this format.
3. Be careful with screen protectors on the inner display. Foldable panels do not tolerate conventional tempered glass. The inner screen takes a film designed specifically for foldables, or nothing at all. Fitting standard glass damages the panel, and that is not a warranty repair.
4. Touch ID changes the rules for cases. A sensor in the side button means the cutout has to be precise, and a thick case can interfere with reads. This is the detail that will separate good cases for this model from bad ones.
5. Cable and charger stay standard USB-C. The one bit of good news for your wallet: everything you own still works. A battery this size deserves at least a 30 W charger and a properly rated cable — a cheap cable is the most common reason fast charging does not work.
Should you buy one?
Honestly? For most people, no. First-generation hardware carries risk, the price is in used-car territory, and the missing telephoto lens means you are paying more for a worse camera system than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
But if you care about where the category is heading, this is the device to watch. Apple rarely enters a category last without a reason.
The announcement is expected in September 2026, with availability possibly slipping to October — much like the original iPhone X. We will update this article as soon as anything becomes official.
Whichever iPhone you pick this September
A solid USB-C cable and a good charger work with any model — this year and next. See our range for Apple devices.
Sources: MacRumors, Macworld, Tom's Guide, Bloomberg (Mark Gurman), The Gadgeteer. All specifications are unconfirmed rumors until Apple's official announcement.
