Imagine unfolding a device that fits comfortably in your pocket and revealing a screen nearly the size of an iPad Mini. That’s exactly what Apple appears to be engineering with its first foldable iPhone, codenamed V68, according to freshly leaked CAD renders. These detailed schematics, sourced from iPhone-Ticker.de, give us our clearest look yet at what could be Apple’s most ambitious hardware project in years, targeting a September 2026 launch.
What’s immediately striking is how Apple seems to be approaching the foldable category differently. Instead of chasing the absolute thinnest profile, they’re prioritizing a truly seamless, crease-free experience. The engineering choices here suggest Apple has been watching the competition closely, learning from their mistakes, and waiting to enter the market with something that feels distinctly Apple.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm x 120.6mm, wider-than-tall orientation |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | 167.6 x 120.6mm, 2,713 x 1,920 resolution |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Closed profile, excluding camera bump |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Open profile, thinner than iPhone Air |
| Display Technology | Crease-free | — | Laser-drilled microstructures for seamless viewing |
| Frame Material | Titanium/Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability and weight balance |
| Rear Cameras | Dual | — | Similar setup to iPhone 17, quality over quantity |
| Front Camera | Under-display | — | No visible notch on inner screen |
| Target Launch | September | 2026 | Codenamed V68, Apple’s first foldable iPhone |
The Display That Could Change Everything
Let’s talk about that screen for a moment. When you unfold this device, you’re looking at a 7.76-inch display with a sharp 2,713 x 1,920 resolution. That’s not just numbers on a page, it’s nearly identical to the viewing area of an iPad Mini. Picture using split-screen apps for productivity, taking handwritten notes with an Apple Pencil, or watching movies without those black bars that plague smaller devices.
The real magic, though, is in what you won’t see. Apple appears to have cracked the crease problem that’s plagued foldables since their inception. Through what the leaks describe as “laser-drilled microstructures,” they’ve engineered a display that remains perfectly flat when unfolded. This is the kind of engineering challenge that even Samsung, with years of foldable experience, hasn’t fully solved. It’s a classic Apple move, wait until you can do it right rather than being first to market.
Design That Actually Makes Sense
Now, look at those dimensions in the table above. When folded, the device measures 9.6mm thick, which is slightly more than Samsung’s current Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm. But here’s the thing, that extra thickness serves a purpose. It accommodates the engineering needed for that crease-free display and creates a wider, squarer profile that feels less like a traditional phone and more like a mini tablet folded in half.
This design choice has practical benefits you’ll appreciate daily. The wider stance makes it easier to grip horizontally, and it actually fits better in side pockets than today’s towering smartphone slabs. When closed, that 5.5-inch outer display has a wider-than-tall orientation that’s perfect for quick notifications, replying to messages, or checking your calendar without unfolding the whole device.
Speaking of the competition, Samsung has been refining its own approach to foldables, with rumors pointing to their thinnest and most refined foldable yet. It’s fascinating to see how two tech giants are approaching the same problem from different angles.
Build Quality You Can Feel
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame tells a story about Apple’s priorities. Titanium provides that premium, durable feel we’ve come to expect from recent Pro iPhones, while aluminum helps manage weight and cost. This isn’t just about materials, it’s about creating a hinge mechanism that feels solid through thousands of open-and-close cycles.
Think about your daily routine. You’re unfolding this device during your morning commute, checking emails between meetings, and watching videos in the evening. Each of those actions puts stress on the hinge and display. Apple’s engineering here needs to withstand not just lab tests, but real-world use over years. The fact that they’re reportedly prioritizing durability over absolute thinness suggests they understand this is a device people will use heavily, not just admire.
Cameras That Keep It Simple
The camera setup here is refreshingly straightforward. A dual rear system similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17, prioritizing sensor quality and computational photography over adding more lenses just for the sake of it. On the inner display, there’s an under-display selfie camera that creates a truly uninterrupted viewing experience.
Imagine watching a movie or video conferencing without a notch or punch-hole interrupting the screen. That’s the kind of attention to detail that makes Apple products feel cohesive. It’s not just about specs, it’s about how everything works together to create a seamless experience.
The Practical Reality of Getting One
Here’s where things get interesting from a consumer perspective. With a target launch date of September 2026, we’re looking at a device that’s still two years away. In the tech world, that’s an eternity. But these detailed CAD leaks suggest Apple is far enough along in development that the core design is locked in.
However, anyone familiar with Apple’s supply chain knows that ambitious new products often face production challenges. As we’ve seen with other Apple innovations, serious supply shortages could extend well into 2027. This means even if the device launches on schedule, actually getting your hands on one might require patience.
This isn’t necessarily bad news. It suggests Apple is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with current manufacturing technology. That crease-free display and mixed-material frame represent engineering challenges that don’t scale easily to mass production.
How It Fits Into Your Life
Let’s step back from the specs for a moment and consider what this device actually means for how you use technology daily. Picture this, you’re traveling for work. Instead of packing both a phone and a tablet, you have this single device that serves both purposes. The outer screen handles quick tasks, while unfolding reveals a proper productivity or entertainment surface.
Or consider students. The ability to take handwritten notes on a device that fits in a backpack pocket, then switch to reading textbooks or watching lecture recordings, all on the same screen. The iPad Mini-sized display when unfolded makes this genuinely practical for educational use.
Even for casual use, there’s something appealing about having a device that transforms based on what you need at that moment. Quick text reply? Use the outer screen. Want to dive into a document or enjoy some media? Unfold and you have a proper viewing area.
As we’ve seen with other major Apple product categories, the company often enters markets later than competitors but with a more polished approach. These detailed CAD leaks reveal a device that feels thoroughly considered, from the crease-free display to the practical folded dimensions.
The Bottom Line
What we’re seeing in these leaks isn’t just another foldable phone. It’s Apple’s vision for what a pocketable computing device should be in 2026 and beyond. By prioritizing a truly seamless display experience over being the absolute thinnest, and by designing a form factor that actually makes sense for daily use, Apple appears to be taking the lessons learned from years of foldable development and applying their signature attention to detail.
The September 2026 timeline gives Apple plenty of time to refine both the hardware and the software experience. How will iOS adapt to this new form factor? What new multitasking features might we see? These are questions that will become clearer as we get closer to launch.
For now, these CAD renders give us a tantalizing glimpse of what could be Apple’s most significant hardware innovation since the original iPhone. It’s a device that promises to bridge the gap between phone and tablet in a way that feels natural, practical, and distinctly Apple. Whether you’re a productivity power user, a media enthusiast, or someone who just appreciates well-engineered technology, this is one to watch closely as we move toward 2026.
