Could your next iPhone replace both your iPad and your laptop?
It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, but it all hinges (forgive the pun) on how well Apple’s foldable design works.
Oh, and whether you’ve got a couple of grand to spare.
Let’s see if Apple’s foldable iPhone is all it’s cracked up to be (although cracks are the last thing you want… okay, okay, we’ll stop cracking the dad jokes now).
When Will The Foldable iPhone Launch?
Late prototypes of the foldable iPhone just hit the NPI (new product introduction) at Foxconn, which means production will follow soon, although it’ll be a while before the product hits the shelves.
All the signals point to a 2026 debut, with mass production slated for the second half of the year. Some industry insiders are saying Apple might push it back to 2027 to coincide with the iPhone’s 20th birthday and make a bigger splash.
One thing’s for sure, the foldable model won’t be part of the iPhone 17 lineup scheduled for the latter part of 2025. The iPhone 17 Air is being promoted as the thinnest yet, but there’s no mention of foldability.
At the end of the day, the first-to-market ship has already sailed, so Apple isn't worried about that. They’re more focused on creating the best foldable phone possible and ironing out any wrinkles (maybe literally).
Apple has past form for coming in late but changing the game, as they did with 5G, bezels, and killing the headphone jack.
Form, Materials & Display Tech
If the rumours are true, then Apple’s opting for a book-style fold, rather than a flip-phone. That means it’ll be similar to the Galaxy Z Fold, which is more like a mini notebook than a compact clamshell.
As for the display, the unfolded size is likely to be around 7.8-inch with a classic Apple 4:3 aspect ratio, putting it in iPad Mini territory. The outer screen is roughly 5.5 inches, so you still get a regular iPhone experience when it’s closed.
The body will be made from durable and light-weight titanium. The unique liquid metal hinge that makes opening and closing the display smooth, yet tough. It might also come with a self-healing screen that covers over small cracks using heat or ambient light.
Apple has also hinted that it could be even thinner than the iPhone 17 Air, at around 4.5mm when open.
High-Tech Innovation Under the Hood
Plenty of Cameras
The foldable iPhone is rumoured to have dual rear cameras, plus selfie cams on the inside and outside. It might also have an under-display camera on the inside which will be almost invisible. This could be used to enable an under-the-screen face ID feature.
High-Density Battery Cells
Apple is testing new high-density battery cells in 2025’s 17 Air, which should pack more power and battery longevity in less space. Apple is also optimising the Display Driver IC, which reduces the amount of power used for the screen display. Judging by the size of the unfolded display, that could make a big difference to battery life.
Next-Gen Apple Chip
The processor is most likely to be a next-gen chip that follows the A19. Little is known about the chip at the moment, but it’s likely to improve high-performance AI tasks, AR, multitasking and streaming.
Luxury Device or Must-Have?
The foldable iPhone is likely to be Apple’s most expensive phone yet, priced between $2,000 and $2,500. This puts in the same price bracket as Apple’s flagship Macbook laptops. They’re clearly positioning it to compete with the Samsung Z Fold 7 and Pixel Fold.
Whether this adds up to an expensive luxury device or a sensible, practical buy depends on your needs.
If you spend a lot of time on the move and using a tablet, then it’s probably going to be useful. If you’re a photographer or designer, you might find it handy to shoot, edit, and review your work all on one device, without lugging an iPad or laptop around.
Apple may go down the multi-tier route at some point, maybe offering a Pro foldable or a budget SE-style version later down the line. As with most Apple products, once they lock in the tech, they’ll scale it.
More Than a Phone
The foldable iPhone looks like it’s going to be an iPad Mini that fits in your pocket. This makes it a useful replacement for an iPad on business trips or working away from the office, easily turning it into a mobile workstation with a keyboard and mouse or trackpad.
Rumour has it that Apple might also be quietly developing a foldable iPad with a screen size equal to two iPad Pros. The foldable iPad could drop as early as 2028, so that’s something else to watch out for.
Overall, the next few years will be exciting for Apple users as there are some real innovations in the pipeline.
At Bouncepad, we’re already thinking about how the next wave of foldable tech might shape the way people work, play, and create. If you’re looking for an iPad stand that holds up to whatever you or your customers throw at it, then check out our range here.
