Apple's first foldable iPhone will mark the company's most dramatic smartphone redesign since the original model launched in 2007, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter published on March 30, Gurman described the upcoming device as "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history".
The book-style foldable represents Apple's first true form-factor change for its flagship product line, moving beyond incremental updates that characterized previous landmark models like the iPhone 4, iPhone 6, and iPhone X. While those devices introduced new aesthetics and features, they maintained the same basic rectangular slab design that has defined smartphones for nearly two decades.
Expected specifications include a 7.7-inch inner display that unfolds to roughly iPad mini dimensions, paired with a 5.3-inch external screen for basic phone functions when closed. Early rumors suggested Apple might achieve a virtually crease-free panel, but more recent reports indicate the company will use specialized technology that reduces hinge visibility without eliminating it entirely.
Apple reportedly plans to unveil the device alongside its standard iPhone 18 Pro models this September, though supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests shipments may begin later than those traditional flagships. The foldable iPhone is expected to command premium pricing starting at or above $1,999 in the United States.
Hardware decisions reflect unique challenges of foldable engineering. The device may replace Face ID facial recognition with Touch ID integrated into its power button, a design choice likely influenced by ultra-thin profile requirements when unfolded. Two rear cameras are expected alongside a single front-facing sensor.
Software optimization will play a crucial role in differentiating Apple's approach from Android competitors who have offered foldables for nearly eight years. iOS 27 is reportedly being heavily adapted for the new form factor, introducing iPad-like multitasking features including side-by-side app functionality previously unavailable on iPhones.
Gurman expressed particular enthusiasm for how Apple's implementation could enhance video watching, productivity workflows, and gaming experiences on mobile devices. He noted that while Samsung pioneered modern foldable designs with its Galaxy Z Fold series starting in 2019, Apple loyalists have waited for an ecosystem-native alternative.
The launch timing places Apple significantly behind market leaders in foldable adoption but positions them to capitalize on established consumer interest in flexible displays. Industry observers will watch whether Apple can deliver meaningful improvements over existing designs or simply offer what Mark Gurman described in his newsletter as "basically a copy of what other phone makers have been doing for years", a characterization reported by Tom's Guide.
Storage configurations reportedly include 236GB, 512GB, and 1TB options priced at $2,320, $2,610 and $2,900 respectively according to leaker "Instant Digital." These figures suggest Apple views its first foldable as a premium productivity tool rather than mass-market replacement for traditional iPhones.
