Apple’s been playing the long game with foldables, and if these leaked CAD renders are any indication, the wait might just be worth it. Fresh details from iPhone-Ticker.de show what appears to be Apple’s first folding iPhone, codenamed V68, and it’s shaping up to be something special. This isn’t just another me-too foldable. It’s Apple’s take on the category, and they’re aiming to deliver an iPad mini experience that actually fits in your pocket.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm x 120.6mm when folded |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | 167.6mm x 120.6mm when unfolded |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 x 1,920 | pixels | Near iPad mini dimensions |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Excluding camera bump |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Thinner than iPhone Air |
| Frame Material | Titanium & Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability |
| Camera System | Dual Rear | — | Similar to iPhone 17 setup |
| Front Camera | Under-Display | — | No visible notch on inner screen |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68 |
The Design That Actually Makes Sense
What immediately stands out about Apple’s approach is the folded form factor. At 83.8mm wide and 120.6mm tall when closed, it’s got a wider-than-tall orientation that actually slips into side pockets without feeling like you’re carrying a tower. This isn’t just about dimensions, it’s about daily usability. The squarer profile when folded makes it easier to grip horizontally, and you can actually use it one-handed when closed. That’s a smart response to the complaints about tall, narrow outer displays on other foldables.
The build quality looks typically Apple. We’re talking about a mixed titanium and aluminum frame that should offer both durability and that premium feel Apple users expect. At 9.6mm thick when folded and just 4.8mm when open (excluding the camera bump), it’s slightly thicker than some competitors but there’s a good reason for that.
The Display Magic Apple’s Been Working On
Here’s where things get really interesting. When you unfold this device, you’re looking at a 7.76-inch screen with 2,713 x 1,920 resolution. That’s nearly identical to an iPad mini, which means you’re getting proper split-screen app support and note-taking capabilities in a device that fits in your pocket. But the real story is what you don’t see: the crease.
Apple seems to have cracked the crease-free display challenge that’s plagued foldables since day one. The leaked details mention laser-drilled microstructures, a technical solution that Samsung apparently couldn’t perfect. This engineering choice explains why Apple’s foldable is slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 (8.9mm closed vs 9.6mm, 4.2mm open vs 4.8mm). They’re prioritizing a truly seamless viewing experience over being the absolute thinnest, and honestly, that’s the right call.
Imagine watching a movie or reading an article without that distracting line down the middle. It’s the kind of refinement we’ve come to expect from Apple, and it could finally make foldables feel like premium devices rather than tech experiments. For more details on how this compares to Samsung’s latest efforts, check out our coverage of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 rumors.
Camera System and Daily Practicality
Apple’s taking a quality-over-quantity approach with the cameras. The dual rear setup appears similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17, which means you’re getting Apple’s computational photography magic in a folding form factor. The inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch, creating that uninterrupted canvas for media consumption and video calls.
Think about your daily workflow for a moment. You’re commuting, you unfold this device, and suddenly you have an iPad mini-sized screen for checking emails, editing documents, or watching content. Then you fold it back up, and it slips into your pocket like a regular phone. The wider folded stance means it won’t feel awkward in your hand during quick tasks either.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
Compared to Samsung’s current foldables, Apple’s approach is distinctly different. While Samsung has been chasing thinness, Apple appears focused on perfecting the core experience first. The extra millimeter or so of thickness accommodates the engineering needed for that crease-free display and likely contributes to better durability too.
This wider, squarer design when folded also addresses one of the biggest ergonomic complaints about current foldables. They often feel tall and narrow when closed, making one-handed use awkward. Apple’s design feels more like a mini tablet folded in half, which should translate to better everyday usability.
It’s worth noting that while this Apple foldable iPhone leak shows impressive engineering, there are reports suggesting potential supply challenges. Some analysts believe that even with a 2026 launch, serious supply shortages could persist well into 2027, making this device potentially hard to get initially.
The Bigger Picture for Apple’s Strategy
What’s fascinating here is how Apple appears to have learned from competitors’ mistakes. They’ve watched the foldable market evolve for years, identified the pain points (the crease, awkward ergonomics, durability concerns), and seem to be addressing them systematically rather than rushing to market.
The September 2026 timeline gives Apple plenty of time to refine this technology further. By then, we should see improvements in hinge mechanisms, display durability, and software optimization for the folding form factor. Apple’s ecosystem advantage could be huge here too. Imagine seamless integration between this foldable iPhone, your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
For consumers, this represents the potential for a truly mature foldable experience. Not just a novelty, but a device that genuinely enhances productivity and media consumption without compromising on the fundamentals of good smartphone design.
As we look toward 2026, it’s clear Apple isn’t just entering the foldable market. They’re aiming to redefine what a folding device can be. If they can deliver on the promise shown in these leaks, combining iPad mini productivity with pocket-friendly portability and that signature Apple polish, they might just have a winner on their hands.
