Imagine slipping an iPad mini into your pocket. That’s the promise Apple seems to be making with its long-rumored foldable iPhone, and newly leaked CAD files give us our clearest look yet at what could be the company’s most ambitious hardware project in years. These engineering drawings, reportedly codenamed V68, show a device that doesn’t just fold, it transforms from a compact phone into a genuine tablet experience without the bulk we’ve come to expect from foldables.
| 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, near iPad mini size |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 × 1,920 | pixels | High-density panel for sharp text and media |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Including hinge mechanism |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Excluding camera bump, thinner than iPhone Air |
| Frame Material | Titanium + Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability and weight balance |
| Camera System | Dual Rear | — | Similar to iPhone 17 setup, under-display front camera |
| Target Launch | September 2026 | — | Based on current supply chain timelines |
The Apple Way: Waiting to Get It Right
Apple’s approach to Apple’s first foldable iPhone has been characteristically patient. While Samsung, Google, and others rushed to market with folding devices that often felt like first-generation experiments, Apple appears to have spent years studying what works, what doesn’t, and most importantly, what frustrates users about current foldables. These CAD leaks suggest they’ve been paying attention.
The most telling detail? That wider-than-tall orientation when folded. At 83.8mm wide and 120.6mm tall, it creates what engineers call a “squarer” profile. In everyday terms, it means the device feels less like a tall, narrow phone and more like a mini tablet folded in half. This isn’t just an aesthetic choice, it’s a functional one that makes the phone easier to grip horizontally and enables better one-handed use when closed.
The Crease-Free Holy Grail
Foldable displays have always faced the crease problem. That visible line down the middle where the screen bends, a constant reminder that you’re using folded glass. Apple’s solution, according to these leaks, involves laser-drilled microstructures that Samsung reportedly couldn’t crack. The engineering tradeoff? Slightly more thickness to accommodate the mechanism.
At 9.6mm thick when folded and 4.8mm when open, Apple’s design is slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open. But here’s the thing, that extra millimeter or so might be worth it for a crease-free experience that doesn’t distract during movie nights or split-screen work sessions. It’s classic Apple, prioritizing the quality of the experience over chasing spec sheet bragging rights.
Build Quality That Feels Like Apple
Pick up any recent iPhone or iPad, and you immediately feel the difference in materials and construction. Apple seems determined to bring that same premium feel to its foldable. The mixed titanium and aluminum frame mentioned in the leaks suggests a careful balance between durability and weight. Titanium provides strength at critical hinge points, while aluminum keeps the overall device from becoming a brick in your pocket.
The camera system takes a similarly thoughtful approach. Instead of packing in multiple sensors just to win a numbers game, Apple appears to be focusing on a dual rear setup similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17. Quality over quantity. The inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch or punch hole, creating that uninterrupted canvas Apple users love for reading, drawing, or watching content.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, Samsung. The Korean giant has been refining its foldable formula for years, and their latest devices represent the state of the art in many ways. But Apple’s approach here feels different in fundamental ways. Where Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series maintains a phone-like aspect ratio on the outer display, Apple’s wider stance changes how you interact with the device when closed.
It’s worth noting that Samsung isn’t standing still either. Recent rumors about their Galaxy Z Flip 8 suggest they’re pushing the boundaries of thinness and refinement. The foldable market is heating up, and that’s great news for consumers who want more choices and better technology.
The Everyday Experience
Picture this, you’re commuting to work with the device folded in your hand. That wider profile makes it comfortable to hold while scrolling through messages or checking notifications. Then you get to your favorite coffee shop, unfold the screen, and suddenly you have a proper tablet for reading the morning news, sketching out ideas, or working on a spreadsheet with split-screen apps.
The 7.76-inch inner display at 2,713 × 1,920 resolution gives you nearly the same screen real estate as an iPad mini, but it folds down to something that genuinely fits in your pocket. Not just your jacket pocket, but your jeans pocket. That’s the magic Apple seems to be chasing, a device that doesn’t force you to choose between portability and productivity.
The Reality of Getting One
Here’s where we need to temper expectations. Even if Apple nails the design and engineering, actually getting your hands on one of these might prove challenging. The company’s meticulous approach to quality control, combined with the inherent complexity of foldable manufacturing, means production volumes could be limited initially.
Industry sources suggest that supply constraints could make Apple’s first foldable a rare find well into 2027. The September 2026 launch window mentioned in the leaks feels ambitious, and even if Apple hits that date, don’t be surprised if you’re joining a waiting list or paying a premium on the secondary market.
The Bigger Picture
What’s fascinating about these leaks isn’t just the device itself, but what it represents for Apple’s product strategy. For years, the company has maintained separate phone and tablet lines. The iPhone for pocketable computing, the iPad for larger-screen tasks. A successful foldable iPhone could blur those lines in ways we haven’t seen since the original iPhone redefined what a phone could be.
The engineering challenges are immense. Creating a hinge that survives thousands of folds, a display that doesn’t develop a crease, and a battery that delivers all-day life in an ultra-thin package. But if anyone has the resources and patience to solve these problems, it’s Apple. These CAD leaks suggest they’re closer than ever to delivering a foldable that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
As we look toward that rumored 2026 launch, one thing seems clear. Apple isn’t just making another foldable phone. They’re trying to create a new category that combines the best of the iPhone and iPad mini into something that fits in your pocket. If they succeed, it could change how we think about mobile devices for the next decade.
