In the coming months, Apple could take one of the most striking steps in its recent history: the launch of its first iPhone with foldable screenAnalyst reports and supply chain leaks already paint a fairly detailed picture of this device, which many refer to as the iPhone Fold, and in which the unlocking via Touch ID It aims to be a major departure from current iPhones.
This new model would not only stand out for folding like a book, but also for abandoning Apple's classic facial recognition in favor of a fingerprint reader integrated into the side. The idea is to adapt biometric security to the foldable format while maintaining a completely clean internal screenWithout a notch or punch-holes, it aligns with the brand's obsession with minimalist designs. This is especially relevant in markets like Spain and the rest of Europe, where foldable phones are gradually gaining ground.
Touch ID takes center stage in the iPhone Fold
Since the iPhone X, unlocking via Face ID It has become a hallmark of Apple phones. However, reports agree that the iPhone Fold would break with this tradition by abandoning the facial recognition system in favor of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the side power button.
The decision is primarily about internal space. Such a thin foldable phone, with two screens and a complex hingeThis makes it difficult to fit the necessary sensors for Face ID, especially if facial recognition were to be offered on both the external and internal screens. Duplicating the system would mean greater thickness, less space for the battery, and a significant increase in cost.
The most logical solution is to place Touch ID on the power button on one side of the device. This way, the user could unlock the iPhone Fold whether it's closed or open, holding it with one or two hands, without depending on camera angles or ambient lighting, something that can be more critical in a foldable phone.
This approach is reminiscent of what Apple already does with several recent iPads, where the fingerprint reader integrated into the top button has proven to be Fast, discreet and reliableIn the case of the iPhone Fold, the return of Touch ID would not be a step backward, but a technical adaptation to allow for a completely unobstructed inner screen and maximize space for other components.
Meanwhile, Apple would continue to move forward with Face ID under the screen In the iPhone 18 Pro, the size of the Dynamic Island is reduced even further. In other words, the company isn't abandoning facial recognition, but is reserving it for the conventional models, letting the foldable model establish its own identity with the fingerprint sensor.
Book-style design and dual screen: 7,8 inches inside, 5,3 inches outside
As for the format, leaks point to a book-like folding designVery much in line with what we've already seen in Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold family, but with several unique features. The iPhone Fold would offer a interior screen of about 7,8 inchesdesigned to work with multiple applications at once, view multimedia content, or even partially replace the iPad mini.
When it's closed, the protagonist would be a 5,3-inch external panelThis smaller screen would allow the phone to be used like a conventional iPhone for quick tasks: replying to messages, checking notifications, making calls, or checking email without needing to open the device. This dual functionality—a compact phone on the outside, a "mini tablet" on the inside—is one of the key features of the design.
One of the most discussed points is the objective of achieving an interior screen without a visible creaseVarious industry sources indicate that Apple is working closely with Samsung Display on a next-generation flexible OLED panel, whose layered structure and hinge would minimize the central crease typical of foldable devices.
At tech trade shows, prototypes of panels matching this description have been seen, specifically designed for Apple, where the crease is barely visible when the screen is unfolded. If this technology makes it to the final product, it could become one of the strong selling points in Europewhere many users still see the "groove" of foldable phones as a weak point.
It is also mentioned that the interior screen would have a slightly landscape formatThe front camera would be comfortable for videos, documents, and multitasking, while the external camera would be designed for classic vertical use. Inside, the front camera would also be located hidden under the panelavoiding cutouts, notches or islands that break the full-screen effect.
Materials, thickness, and a mature product feel
The iPhone Fold chassis would combine titanium and aluminumThe goal was to balance strength and weight. Titanium would provide rigidity and greater tolerance to torsion and impacts, crucial in a hinged device, while aluminum would help keep the assembly as light as possible and contain costs.
The leaked figures point to a thickness of around 9,0-9,5 mm when folded and about 4,5 mm when unfolded. If confirmed, this would make it one of the thinnest foldable phones on the market, facilitating the switch from a traditional iPhone without feeling like you're carrying a "brick" in your pocket.
Apple reportedly delayed its entry into the foldable market precisely to ensure it launched a product with a quality product. more refined and durable than the first generations of the competition. Among the objectives would be the reduction of panel fatigue in the hinge area, the improvement of the folding mechanism and resistance to continuous opening and closing over the years.
This approach is especially relevant for the European market, where users highly value the feeling of solidity and lifespan of the device, especially in such high price ranges. The combination of premium materials and engineering focused on the hinge aims precisely to convey that this is not a first-rate experiment.
In any case, everything indicates that the iPhone Fold would be positioned at the top of the lineup, even above the iPhone 18 Pro, both in terms of design and manufacturing cost, reinforcing the idea of ​​a ultra-exclusive product within the ecosystem.
Cameras: dual 48MP module and two 18MP front sensors
In terms of photography, leaks place the iPhone Fold very close to the Pro models, although with a slightly different configuration. Regarding the back, there's talk of... two 48 megapixel cameras, with a main sensor accompanied by a seven-element lens (7P) and a second module with six-element optics (6P), aimed at offering more versatility in zoom or ultra-wide angle.
This combination would allow for a level of detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance that is competitive with other high-end foldable phones already sold in Spain and Europe. However, the iPhone 18 Pro would go a step further with a system of three 48MP sensors and periscope telephoto lensThe foldable model would clearly remain in premium territory.
The front will also have its own peculiarity: the iPhone Fold is expected to include two 18 megapixel camerasOne screen is for use with the external display, and the other for the internal display. This allows the user to make high-quality video calls or take selfies with the device both closed and unfolded, without sacrificing the experience in either mode.
In the case of the interior camera, several reports mention the possibility of integrating it. under the screenso that there are no visible perforations. It's an approach already seen from some manufacturers, but where Apple would try to especially improve sharpness and image processing, two areas where current solutions tend to fall short.
Overall, the goal is for the iPhone Fold not to be perceived as a "compromise" phone in terms of photography, but as a fully capable iPhone which simply adopts a different format. This is key to convincing those who today are unwilling to give up a good camera in exchange for a foldable design.
2nm A20 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM and a focus on local AI
Under the hood, the iPhone Fold would share its core with the iPhone 18 Pro: the new A20 Pro chip, manufactured by TSMC using a 2-nanometer (N2) process. This node jump should translate into More performance with less consumptionThis is especially important in a device that has to handle two OLED screens and increasingly demanding artificial intelligence functions.
One of the most discussed technical aspects is the use of packaging WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module), a technique that allows the integration of various components —such as the memory itself— very close to the processor, reducing the physical distance and improving data exchange.
For the user, this would translate into a faster system response When managing large volumes of information, whether editing video, processing photos, or running AI models directly on the phone, Apple wants many of the advanced features of Apple Intelligence and the new, improved Siri to run locally, without constantly relying on the cloud.
Memory also takes a significant leap: all leaks indicate that the iPhone Fold will come with 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAMThis is in line with the iPhone 18 Pro. This figure, higher than that of many previous iPhone generations, responds precisely to the need to handle AI tasks, advanced multitasking, and complex graphics without bottlenecks.
In Europe and Spain, where privacy and data protection regulations are particularly strict, this approach of processing more information on the device itself fits well with legal requirements. More powerful AI without sending so much data to external servers This can become a compelling argument for users concerned about their personal information.
Relationship with the iPhone 18 Pro and launch strategy in Europe
The iPhone Fold wouldn't arrive alone. Reports from analysts like Jeff Pu indicate that Apple will unveil another device this fall. three high-end modelsThe iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the new foldable iPhone. All of them would share the A20 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM, placing them together at the top of the lineup.
In the case of the iPhone 18 Pro, it is expected that they will maintain screens of approximately 6,3 inches for the Pro y 6,9 inches for the Pro MaxWith a more evolutionary design and a Face ID hidden under the panel, which would allow for an even smaller Dynamic Island, they would focus on further refining the classic format, while the foldable version would explore new territory.
The main difference between them would be in the biometricsThe Pro models would retain Face ID as their signature feature, while the iPhone Fold would opt for a side-mounted Touch ID for practicality and to save space. This would allow Apple to offer two very different high-end options, but without sacrificing key features in either case.
As for the schedule, the forecasts place the iPhone Fold launch in September 2026This coincided with the traditional fall event. The more affordable models in the iPhone 18 family would be released the following spring, creating a staggered launch: first the higher-margin devices, then the more economical ones.
For users in Spain and the rest of Europe, the commercial rollout of the iPhone Fold is most likely to be delayed. follow Apple's usual pattern, with almost simultaneous sales in the main European markets, presence in operators and in the Apple Store online from the first days and a strong role in the end-of-year campaign.
Price, positioning and role of the iPhone Fold in the European market
If analysts' estimates are correct, the iPhone Fold would be priced around 2.000 Euros or even more so in Europe. This would place it directly in the same league as other benchmark foldable phones, such as the most recent Galaxy Z Fold, which are priced around €2.200 in the Spanish market.
This price range makes it clear that Apple's focus is on this segment ultra-premiumwhere the public seeks the latest in technology and design and assumes that the cost is high. This would not be, at least in this first generation, a device intended to popularize the foldable format on a massive scale, but rather a model designed to set trends and test the real interest of users.
In Spain, where high-end mobile phones have a significant presence thanks to the financing from operators and banksIt is expected that marketing campaigns and installment offers will play a key role in facilitating access to the iPhone Fold. Telecoms and distributors They could space out their promotions between autumn (Pro and foldable models) and spring (base models), taking advantage of the new staggered calendar.
In European markets where foldable phones have already gained more market share, such as Germany or France, Apple would arrive somewhat later than some rivals, but with a proposal focused on the screen without a visible crease, ultra-thin design and use of Touch ID as a biometric solution adapted to the format. That approach could convince those who haven't made the switch precisely because of doubts about finishes and durability.
The iPhone Fold is shaping up to be a very premium foldable phone that focuses on a Convenient unlocking with side Touch ID, a book-like design with dual screens, next-generation hardware, and a strong focus on local AIIf the leaks about its arrival in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro materialize, Apple will not only join the foldable market in Europe and Spain, but will try to reshape it in its own way, emphasizing the everyday user experience rather than the fireworks of the first impression.