The iPhone Fold looks strangely distinct. | Image by Sonny Dickson
With the rumored iPhone Fold reportedly entering trial production, the realization that the product is, in fact, real and on the horizon has hit many users. With the expected September launch fast approaching, rumors have also picked up steam. While renders of Apple's first bendable device have previously emerged, a fresh leak gives us the most realistic look at the phone.
A different breed of a foldable
iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Fold, and iPhone 18 Pro dummy units. | Image by Sonny Dickson
Tipster Sonny Dickson, who often leaks mockup units of unreleased devices, has posted pictures of dummy units of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold.
As expected, the iPhone 18 Pro duo looks largely like the current-gen phones, with possibly imperceptible changes in dimensions that don't stand out immediately.
The iPhone Fold dummy is particularly intriguing. While it encapsulates the leaked design elements, its aesthetics may take a moment to process.
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Though it's a book-style foldable, it has a shorter and wider design than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Honor Magic V6 Foldable, evoking comparisons to the Google Pixel Fold.
The phone also features a camera plateau similar to the iPhone Air, though it doesn't stretch all the way toward the end.
Next-gen iPhone models from the front. | Image by Sonny Dickson
The images also show what the phones will look like from the front, potentially demarcating the area where the rumored 24MP under-display camera would reside.
A squat design
When placed alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, the iPhone Fold looks compact and pocketable.
The design favors function over symmetry. While the outer corners are rounded, the section where the hinge would reside remains squared off to accommodate the folding mechanism.
Of course, the final product will likely look elegant and polished.
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The iPhone Fold looks more like the iPad mini or a small notebook than a modern smartphone. The front screen is much wider than a typical iPhone display. The device opens up to a large screen that looks very short and wide.
The outer display reportedly measures 5.4 inches, while the inner screen clocks in at 7.8 inches. The device's aspect ratio is 4:3.
As can be deduced from the photos, the iPhone Fold is slimmer than the average iPhone, with reports stating it will be only 4.5mm thick in the open state and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.75mm thick, and its successor could be a hair thicker at 8.8mm.
What's the most striking element of the iPhone Fold?
Specs to match... for the most part
While the iPhone Fold is likely to have the same 2nm A20 chip and 12GB RAM for speedy performance, its thin design means some compromises will need to be made. The device is expected to come with Touch ID instead of Face ID. It will also only have two rear cameras, so there won't be a telephoto unit for long-range shots.
Consistent with the pricing of most other top-tier foldables, the phone will reportedly start at $1,999 for the 256GB model.
New use cases
The iPhone Fold is expected to be an iPhone-iPad hybrid. Like other foldable phones, it will function as a normal phone in the closed state, but give users the flexibility of an iPad when it's unfurled.
Whether Apple will utilize the screen real estate in a way that makes way for convincing new use cases remains to be seen.
Given years of anticipation, the iPhone Fold is poised for a strong debut, especially if Apple successfully delivers on the rumored crease-free display. The wide design could also stir up interest, considering Samsung has already decided to make a wider version of its own foldable.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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