El Apple's first foldable iPhone It has become the most enigmatic device in the company's catalog even before its official unveiling. It's not that there's a lack of information, but rather that everything that has been leaked points to a product that forces the brand to tread completely new ground, with design and hardware choices very different from any previous iPhone.
In recent months, they have accumulated physical mock-ups, leaked cases, and analyst predictions These rumors paint an increasingly clear picture: an iPhone that opens like a book, with a wide format, a very slim profile when unfolded, and a clear intention to function as a kind of pocket-sized iPad mini. At the same time, the rumors make it clear that it won't necessarily be the most powerful iPhone overall, but rather the most groundbreaking and expensive.
A passport-style format for an iPhone that wants to be a mini-tablet
The first physical cases and mock-ups of the device point to a Passport-style design, wider than usual when closed. Unlike the tall, sleek foldable phones popularized by other manufacturers, Apple has opted for a more square format, designed to feel like a conventional phone in hand, but when opened, offer an interior screen very similar to the experience of an iPad mini.
This approach is reminiscent of recent proposals from other brands that have opted for "wide" folding models, with external screen around 5,4-5,5 inches and an internal panel that is around 7,7 inches in a format close to 4:3 or 16:10. On paper, this ratio is more comfortable for reading, writing, watching video horizontally and multitasking than excessively narrow and elongated devices.
In the case of the foldable iPhone, leaks place the interior screen of approximately 7,76 inchesWith a thickness of less than 5 mm when the device is unfolded, this is a very aggressive figure that would explain why Apple is sacrificing some traditional elements, such as a camera module as bulky as the one in the Pro Max models or even the conventional Face ID.
Comparisons with future foldable phones from other manufacturers, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, show that Apple and Samsung would have very similar screen sizes, but would diverge in philosophy. While the competition would continue to focus on straight lines and angular aestheticsThe foldable iPhone would inherit curved edges from recent generations, something that not only responds to a question of style, but also to ergonomics when holding a device of this size.
Another detail that the mock-ups are starting to reveal is the arrangement of buttons and sensors. The power button would be elongated on one of the sides and would function as integrated Touch ID fingerprint readerThis brings back the biometric system to Apple's high-end range after years of absence. The volume buttons would be moved to the top edge when the device is open, and a rear protrusion has been noticed on the hinge whose function is not entirely clear, but which could help keep the two halves together and provide stability to the unit.
MagSafe, Face ID, and other design compromises still up in the air
One of the points that is generating the most doubt among the leaks is the presence (or absence) of MagSafeSome cases in production clearly show the magnetic rings on the back, while others omit any reference to this system. Mockups that have been circulating also don't provide a definitive answer.
One possibility is that Apple has opted to move part of the magnetic system to the cases themselves in order to maintain a extremely reduced thickness on the chassis, around 4,5 mm when open. Another possibility is that the leaked mock-ups aren't entirely final, something that wouldn't be new in the accessories ecosystem: case manufacturers often work with approximate molds months before the official presentation.
The precedent set by the iPhone 16e, which launched without MagSafe and forced the company to backtrack in the next generation, fuels the feeling that Apple doesn't want to do without this feature again in such a high-priced device. However, the hybrid nature of the foldable phone complicates matters: Multiple orientations, horizontal and vertical use and a changing support surface could hinder the integration of the system as it is known in traditional iPhones.
Something similar happens with the Face IDEverything points to Apple foregoing advanced facial recognition in this model, at least in the form we're familiar with. The combination of thin bezels, foldable screens, and the absence of a fixed front panel in a single orientation complicates the integration of all the sensors. Therefore, the side-mounted Touch ID takes center stage as a practical solution that's easier to maintain in different positions.
In any case, the leaks agree that Apple is prioritizing one interior screen with no visible wrinkleThis is one of the aspects that has most hampered the first foldable phones on the market. The goal would be for the fold to be almost imperceptible both visually and to the touch, even at the cost of forgoing a third rear camera or a battery as large as those found in the bulkier models.
Cameras, A20 Pro chip, and differences with the iPhone 18 Pro Max
One of the keys to understanding the positioning of the foldable iPhone is that, according to leaks, It won't be the most complete in photography within Apple's high-end range. The absolute star in this area would be the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which would maintain a 48-megapixel triple-camera system with a variable aperture main sensor and a longer-range telephoto lens.
The foldable one, on the other hand, would remain a set of two rear camerasBoth cameras are 48 megapixels: a main sensor and an ultra-wide-angle lens. The reduced internal space due to the hinge, battery, and flexible panel structure would necessitate a simplified module, limiting optical zoom and some advanced features. It would still be a high-end system, but somewhat closer to standard iPhones than to a flagship photography model.
Where there would be some balance is in raw performance. Both the foldable iPhone and the 18 Pro Max would incorporate the A20 Pro chip manufactured using a 2-nanometer processWith estimated improvements of around 15% in speed and 30% in energy efficiency compared to the previous generation, this should translate into a noticeable leap in artificial intelligence tasks, video editing, gaming, and other demanding processes.
Battery life, however, could favor the traditional model. The iPhone 18 Pro Max would operate on a battery between 5.100 and 5.200 mAhaiming to be one of the longest-lasting devices in the brand's history. In the case of the foldable model, the raw figures could be similar, but intensive use of the larger internal screen would significantly increase power consumption, forcing the user to switch more frequently between the external and internal panels depending on the situation.
In practice, that would position the foldable iPhone as an option designed for those who prioritize versatility and productivityHowever, it's worth noting that battery life might suffer more during long days of intensive use in tablet mode. The 18 Pro Max, meanwhile, remains the alternative for those seeking maximum battery life and the best camera without radical changes in design.
Price, availability, and a limited initial production run
If there's one point on which all sources agree, it's the cost. Apple's foldable iPhone would be placed directly in the range of $2.000 or moreThis would predictably translate to a price in Europe of around—or even exceeding—2.000 euros. This would place it above any other iPhone currently on the market and in competition with the most expensive foldable phones available.
In contrast, the iPhone 18 Pro Max would maintain a more conservative strategy, with an estimated starting price of around 1.469 euros for the 256 GB version in Europe. The cost difference between the two models would clearly mark the separation between a "classic" flagship and a device designed for those who want to experiment with a new format without worrying too much about the budget.
Supply chain reports indicate that the foldable product has gone through problems in the engineering validation phase (EVT)This would have forced a delay in the start of production from June to August. This would bring the manufacturing timeline much closer to the usual September launch, limiting the number of units available at the outset.
It wouldn't be surprising if Apple opted to repeat a similar move to the one with the iPhone X: unveil the foldable iPhone at the September keynoteThey could capitalize on the media buzz, but delay the release for a few weeks or even until the end of the year. In Europe, and specifically in countries like Spain, this could translate into very staggered availability and long delivery times in the first few months.
Furthermore, some analysts point out that the company could begin its foldable phone journey with a deliberately limited productionThis was done both as a precaution against potential reliability issues and to gauge the actual demand for such an expensive product. The result would be a device highly visible in headlines and shop windows, but with limited presence in the hands of the average European user during its initial life cycle.
Why is Apple launching a foldable phone now, and what role will it play in its product range?
Beyond the specifications, one of the big questions is why Apple has decided betting on the foldable format precisely nowThe company usually waits for a technology to become established before embracing it, and in this case the answer seems to lie in the maturity of the market and the need to offer something different in the high-end range, where competition is increasingly fierce.
The iPhone continues to sell in very high numbers, but the push from other manufacturers in segments such as foldable and large-format phones has forced Apple to rethink its strategy. The company would have waited to have a differentiated proposal in user experienceIt's not just a device that folds in half, but a hybrid geared towards productivity tasks with an interface closer to that of an iPad.
According to leaks, much of the appeal of the foldable iPhone will lie in how adapt the software to this new formatSplit-screen modes, more flexible multitasking, improved window management, and a more seamless transition between closed and open modes. In Europe, where compact tablets and lightweight laptops hold a significant market share, a device that combines both functions in a pocket could find an interesting niche among professionals and power users.
Even so, the company itself would be aware that not all users will be keen to pay such a high price for a device that, on paper, could offer less camera and battery than an iPhone 18 Pro MaxHence, it is not intended as a direct replacement for the "classic" flagship model, but as a parallel path within the premium range, aimed at those who value flexibility of use over having the maximum in all aspects.
In this context, the arrival of the foldable model would not only diversify the catalog, but would also mark a possible change of stage in product strategyWith the change in executive leadership and a scenario where artificial intelligence, services, and hardware are more intertwined than ever, the new foldable iPhone will also serve as a barometer of the extent to which the brand can continue to set the pace of the industry when it arrives somewhat later than its rivals.
Based on everything we know so far, Apple's future foldable iPhone appears to be a device designed for those looking for a format leap rather than a simple power leapIt's willing to forgo some camera extras or battery life in exchange for carrying a hybrid between a phone and a mini-tablet in your pocket. Its high price, likely limited availability in Europe during the first few months, and the lingering doubts surrounding features like MagSafe and Face ID make it seem, at least in its first generation, more like a bet for very specific users than a mass replacement for the traditional iPhone.
