In the last ten years, being foldable iPhone with a screen without visible wrinkles It's taking shape, and a product quite different from anything Apple has released so far is beginning to emerge. Leaks from recent months point to a device that not only folds like a book but will also attempt to solve two of the biggest problems with this type of phone: the crease in the center of the screen and battery life.
According to various sources in the Asian supply chain and analysts specializing in the Apple ecosystem, this model It would be placed in the brand's top range. And it would even change the traditional launch schedule. The company is reportedly finalizing the design and hardware details to have it ready around the same time as the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, which would mark a turning point in Cupertino's mobile strategy.
A battery never before seen in a wrinkle-free foldable iPhone
One of the most striking clues concerns battery life. Leaks from China indicate that the The foldable iPhone would integrate a battery of around 5.500 mAhThis figure would significantly surpass that of the brand's current flagship model. This move would be especially relevant because, until now, neither iPhones nor foldable phones in general have been known for offering large battery capacities.
Apple's idea would be to combine this increased capacity with the iOS energy efficiency and the new A20 Bionic processorThe goal is to maintain competitive battery life even when using the large internal screen. However, the size of the foldable panel itself could negatively impact power consumption, so it remains to be seen whether this translates into the promised real-world usage time.
In this context, it is expected that the power management be especially aggressive, intelligently alternating between the internal and external screen. The presence of a custom-developed C2 modem It would also work in its favor, reducing energy consumption in mobile connections and improving the integration between hardware and software, something Apple has been fine-tuning in its phones for years.
For European and Spanish users, accustomed to long working days and commutes, this leap in battery life could be a compelling argument for considering a foldable device that, until now, many saw as impractical for everyday use. If the filtered capacity and the usual optimization of the brand are confirmedThis model could be among the foldable phones with the greatest autonomy on the market.
Book-style format, 7,8-inch internal screen and compact external panel
As for the design, everything points to the first foldable iPhone opting for a Fold-type format, i.e., book styleand not because of a clamshell-type model. indoor screen It would reach about 7,8 inches, while the external panel would be around 5,5 inches, dimensions designed to offer an experience close to that of a small tablet when unfolded, but without sacrificing comfortable use in phone mode.
The leaks speak of a chassis slightly wider than that of other similar folding bikesThe idea is to approximate the feeling of holding an iPad mini when you open it. This would differentiate the device from much of the competition, which typically opts for taller and narrower designs. The external screen, meanwhile, would be more compact than those of conventional iPhone models, remaining under 6 inches.
One of the key points of this project is the foldable screen with no visible creases at the center foldSamsung, which will manufacture the panel for Apple, has reportedly developed a new type of structure and protective layer to minimize the crease that typically appears at the hinge. This collaboration between the two companies would allow Apple to launch a foldable phone with a cleaner finish when opened, which could become one of its main selling points.
In addition, the integration of The goal is to offer a continuous surface, without perforations or notches, when the device is unfolded. If confirmed, this would align with Apple's commitment to providing the most immersive viewing experience possible on this large screen.
Design changes: buttons, Touch ID, and camera system
The move to a foldable format would also require rethinking the layout of the physical controls. Several leaks suggest that The volume buttons would move to the top right of the device, in a position that is unusual in current iPhones but more logical in a device that can be used in various modes and orientations.
Another relevant new feature would be the return of Touch ID integrated into the power buttonThis is something the brand has explored in other products, but not in the most recent iPhones. This reader would allow the phone to be unlocked conveniently whether it's folded or open, complementing or even replacing facial recognition on the internal screen in certain scenarios.
In the photography section, there is talk of the recovery of pill-shaped module for the cameraSeeking to maintain a consistent aesthetic with the rest of the range, the camera system would have to adapt to the specifics of the foldable format, allowing, for example, high-quality selfies using the main sensors with the help of the external screen as a viewfinder.
According to these leaks, the priority would be to maintain a camera experience as similar as possible to that of the Pro modelsDespite the space and design limitations imposed by the hinge, this would include advanced photography and video modes, as well as processing powered by the new A20 Bionic chip to take advantage of the form factor for functions such as multitasking and editing on the large internal screen.
A20 Bionic chip, proprietary modem, and focus on performance
At the heart of the device we would find the A20 Bionic chip, accompanied by an in-house developed C2 modemThis combination would be designed to cope with the increased number of pixels that the system must handle and the demands of having two screens with different usage modes.
Performance would be key so that the user does not notice negative differences compared to a traditional high-end iPhone. Multitasking on the 7,8-inch screenThe seamless switching between internal and external panels and the intensive use of apps in parallel would require sustained power and good thermal management, aspects that Apple usually pays special attention to.
Furthermore, the company would leverage this new hardware to further deepen the integration between its own chips and software, a strategy that has already yielded results in other products of the brand. The presence of a custom-designed modem It could improve connection stability, especially on 5G networks, and reduce power consumption compared to third-party solutions.
For European markets, where networks and frequency bands have their own particularities, this hardware customization would allow the device to be better adapted to the conditions of each country. In Spain, where 5G adoption continues to growAn optimized modem could make a difference in speed and latency compared to other available foldable devices.
iPhone 18 release schedule and changes
One of the aspects generating the most interest is when this foldable iPhone will be released. The most consistent rumors suggest that Its presentation would take place around September 2026Alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, Apple would thus reorganize its catalog so that the foldable phone shares the spotlight with the most advanced models in the range.
As a result, it is said that the The "standard" iPhone 18 could be delayed until spring 2027If confirmed, it would be a significant change to the brand's usual schedule, which has historically concentrated almost all iPhone releases in the final stretch of the year.
This strategy would allow Apple to give more visibility to their first foldable book and prevent it from getting lost among too many adsFurthermore, it could help to better segment the offering: on the one hand, the Pro models and the foldable one as the technological spearhead; on the other, the more generalist range at a second stage of the cycle.
For the European user, accustomed to seeing new iPhones arrive practically at the same time as in the United States, these changes could translate into a slightly different release scheduleBut without major regional delays. The company intends to maintain availability in key markets like Spain within the first waves.
A possible iPhone Flip, but still a long way off
While the focus is on the book-style model, some reports indicate that Apple also studies a future foldable flip or clamshell typeThis second variant would arrive, in any case, after verifying the reception of the first foldable iPhone and only if demand justifies it.
Analysts well-connected to Apple suggest that if the first Fold model performs well in the market, the company could Expand the foldable family with a more compact devicethinking of those who prefer a small mobile phone that unfolds to the size of a conventional smartphone.
Even so, these same sources insist that There are no firm guarantees that the Flip-type iPhone will ever be produced.For now, it would be more of a project under study than a product with a planned release date, and its development would depend both on public response and the evolution of wrinkle-free screen technology.
In any case, the fact that Apple is considering several foldable formats reinforces the idea that This is not an isolated experimentbut rather a product line they could further develop over the next few years. This could increase competition in the segment and push other manufacturers to improve their own designs and prices in Europe.
With all the information available so far, the first foldable iPhone is shaping up to be a device that makes a strong bet on a large, wrinkle-free interior screen, a battery far exceeding the brand's usual standards, and a redesign geared towards hybrid use between a mobile phone and a small tablet.Pending official confirmation from Apple, leaks suggest a launch designed to compete at the top of the market, with a focus on daily user experience and a release schedule tailored to give it maximum prominence within the iPhone family.
