| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm wide × 120.6mm tall when folded |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | 167.6mm × 120.6mm unfolded |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 × 1,920 | pixels | Near iPad mini dimensions for split-screen use |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Excluding camera bump |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Thinner than ultra-slim iPhone Air |
| Frame Material | Titanium & Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability |
| Rear Camera System | Dual | — | Similar to iPhone 17, quality over quantity |
| Front Camera | Under-Display | — | No visible notch on inner screen |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68 |
Imagine slipping a device into your pocket that feels no bulkier than your current phone, then unfolding it to reveal a screen nearly matching an iPad mini. That’s the promise emerging from leaked CAD files of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, and if these renders are accurate, Apple might finally have cracked the code on a truly pocketable tablet experience.
These CAD leaks, sourced from iPhone-Ticker.de, show a device codenamed V68 that represents Apple’s long-rumored entry into the foldable market. What’s striking isn’t just that Apple is making a foldable phone, but how they’re approaching it differently from everyone else. They’re prioritizing a seamless, crease-free viewing experience over chasing the absolute thinnest profile, and that trade-off could redefine what we expect from folding devices.
The Pocket-Sized iPad Mini Experience
When folded, the device measures 83.8mm wide by 120.6mm tall with a 5.5-inch outer display. That wider-than-tall orientation is a deliberate choice, it slips into side pockets more comfortably than today’s towering smartphone slabs. The folded thickness comes in at 9.6mm, which feels substantial but purposeful in hand.
Unfold it, and the magic happens. The screen expands to 167.6mm by 120.6mm, delivering a 7.76-inch canvas with a sharp 2,713 by 1,920 resolution. At just 4.8mm thin when open (excluding the camera bump), it’s actually thinner than Apple’s own ultra-slim iPhone Air. This creates what might be the most compelling pocket-sized iPad mini experience we’ve seen from any manufacturer.
Think about using this device on your morning commute. Folded, it’s a perfectly usable phone for quick texts and calls. Unfold it on the train, and suddenly you have proper split-screen space for reading articles while checking emails, or taking handwritten notes with Apple Pencil support. The dimensions nearly match an iPad mini, meaning all those iPad-optimized apps should work beautifully without awkward scaling.
Engineering the Impossible: A Truly Crease-Free Display
Here’s where Apple’s engineering philosophy shines through. While Samsung and other foldable makers have chased thinner and thinner profiles, often resulting in visible creases down the middle of their screens, Apple appears to be taking the opposite approach. The leaked CAD files show the device is slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 (9.6mm folded versus 8.9mm, 4.8mm unfolded versus 4.2mm).
That extra millimeter matters. It accommodates what’s reportedly a laser-drilled microstructure display technology that Samsung hasn’t been able to crack. This engineering choice suggests Apple values a pristine viewing experience above all else. When you’re watching a movie or editing photos, you won’t have that distracting line down the center of your content. It’s a trade-off that makes perfect sense for a company that’s built its reputation on display quality.
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame adds to this premium feel. Titanium provides that high-end durability and weight savings we’ve seen in recent Pro iPhones, while aluminum likely handles certain structural or thermal requirements. Together they should create a hinge mechanism that feels solid through thousands of open-close cycles, something that’s been a pain point for early foldable adopters.
Camera System and Daily Usability
Camera specs point to Apple’s typical quality-over-quantity approach. The dual rear setup appears similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17, focusing on sensor quality and computational photography rather than adding extra lenses for the sake of specs. More interesting is the inner screen’s under-display selfie camera, which leaves no visible notch or punch-hole to interrupt your viewing experience.
This design decision matters more than you might think. When you’re immersed in a video or presentation, having that completely uninterrupted canvas makes a noticeable difference in engagement. It’s one of those small details that separates good devices from great ones.
The wider folded stance creates what early impressions describe as a squarer profile. It feels less like a traditional phone and more like a mini tablet folded in half. This actually improves one-handed use when closed, addressing a common complaint about tall, narrow outer displays on competing foldables. You can actually reach across the screen with your thumb without shifting your grip.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
Comparing this to Samsung’s current foldables reveals Apple’s different priorities. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is indeed slightly thinner both folded and unfolded, but that comes with the trade-off of a visible crease. Apple’s approach with the crease-free iPad mini design suggests they’ve studied the market carefully and identified what truly matters to users.
From a supply chain perspective, this late 2026 timeline (currently pointing to September) gives Apple plenty of time to refine production and potentially avoid the severe supply constraints that often plague first-generation Apple products. The company has reportedly been working on foldable technology for years, watching competitors make mistakes and learning what not to do.
That patience could pay off in a device that feels polished from day one, rather than requiring several generations to work out the kinks. If these CAD leaks are accurate, Apple has focused on solving the fundamental problems that have held back foldable adoption: durability concerns, visible creases, and awkward form factors.
The Bigger Picture for Apple’s Strategy
This foldable iPhone represents more than just another product category for Apple. It’s a statement about how the company views the future of personal computing. By creating a device that bridges the gap between phone and tablet so seamlessly, Apple is essentially arguing that the ideal personal device adapts to your needs throughout the day.
Carry it in your pocket as a phone, unfold it on your desk as a tablet, prop it up as a mini display for video calls, the versatility becomes the selling point. And with Apple’s ecosystem integration, this device would likely work seamlessly with your Mac, Apple Watch, and other Apple products in ways that Android foldables simply can’t match.
The foldable iPhone leak also hints at how Apple might be thinking about its iPad lineup long-term. If you can have an iPad mini experience in your pocket, does that change how people think about buying separate phones and tablets? It’s the kind of category-blurring innovation that Apple has historically excelled at, from the iPhone itself to the iPad Pro.
Of course, we’re still looking at a 2026 timeline, and in the tech world, that’s practically forever. Specifications could change, designs might evolve, and production challenges could emerge. But what these CAD files suggest is exciting: Apple isn’t just making a foldable phone, they’re rethinking what a foldable device should be.
For consumers who’ve been waiting for a foldable that doesn’t feel like a compromise, that offers both pocketability and a premium tablet experience without visible seams or creases, this could be exactly what they’ve been hoping for. It’s the kind of device that makes you rethink what you carry with you every day, and that’s always been when Apple is at its best.
