Imagine slipping an iPad mini into your pocket. That’s exactly what Apple seems to be engineering with its first foldable iPhone, and newly leaked CAD files give us our clearest look yet at how the company plans to pull it off. Codenamed V68 and reportedly targeting a September 2026 launch, this device represents Apple’s long-awaited entry into the foldable space, and the details suggest they’ve been studying the competition closely.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm wide x 120.6mm tall when folded |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | 167.6mm x 120.6mm when unfolded |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 x 1,920 | pixels | Nearly matches iPad mini screen real estate |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Includes hinge mechanism |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Excluding camera bump, thinner than iPhone Air |
| Frame Material | Titanium & Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability |
| Rear Camera System | Dual | — | Similar to iPhone 17 setup, quality over quantity |
| Front Camera | Under-display | — | No visible notch on inner screen |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68 |
The Pocketable iPad Mini Dream
What makes this leak particularly exciting isn’t just that Apple is finally making a foldable phone. It’s how they’re approaching it. While competitors have focused on making phones that unfold into tablets, Apple appears to be engineering a tablet that folds into your pocket. The 7.76-inch inner screen with its 2,713 x 1,920 resolution gives you nearly identical screen real estate to an iPad mini, but when you’re done with that split-screen document editing or note-taking session, it collapses down to a 5.5-inch device that actually fits in your jeans.
The wider-than-tall orientation when folded is a smart design choice. At 83.8mm wide and 120.6mm tall, it slips into side pockets more comfortably than today’s towering smartphone slabs. You can actually feel the difference when you slide it in your pocket on the way to a meeting, then unfold it to review presentation notes with colleagues. It’s that kind of practical thinking that shows Apple has been watching what works and what doesn’t in the foldable market.
Engineering a Truly Crease-Free Experience
Here’s where Apple’s notorious attention to detail shines through. The leaked CAD files reveal the company is prioritizing a true crease-free display over being the absolute thinnest device on the market. At 9.6mm thick when folded and 4.8mm when open (excluding the camera bump), it’s slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, which measures 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open.
But that extra millimeter matters. It accommodates the engineering required for what appears to be a genuinely crease-free display through laser-drilled microstructures, a technology that reportedly stumped Samsung’s engineers. Think about watching a movie on that expansive inner screen without that distracting line down the middle, or scrolling through photo albums where every image appears perfectly flat. That’s the experience Apple seems to be chasing, and if these leaks are accurate, they might just achieve it.
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame tells a story about durability too. Titanium provides that premium feel and structural integrity around the hinge area, where stress concentrates during thousands of open-close cycles, while aluminum keeps the overall weight manageable. It’s the same thoughtful material selection we’ve seen in recent iPhone Pro models, now applied to the unique challenges of foldable mechanics.
Camera Strategy and Daily Usability
Apple’s camera approach here is characteristically Apple. Instead of packing in multiple sensors to win spec sheet battles, the renders show a dual rear setup similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17, prioritizing computational photography and sensor quality over quantity. It’s a reminder that for most people, consistently great photos from two well-tuned cameras beat mediocre results from four or five sensors.
The inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch or punch-hole, creating that uninterrupted canvas for media consumption. Picture watching a movie or video conferencing without any distractions in your field of view. It’s those small details that add up to a premium experience.
What really stands out about Apple’s first foldable iPhone is how it addresses the practical complaints people have had about existing foldables. The wider folded stance creates a squarer profile that feels less like a traditional phone and more like a mini tablet folded in half. This makes it easier to grip horizontally and enables better one-handed use when closed, solving those awkward moments when you’re trying to quickly check a notification with one hand while holding a coffee in the other.
The Supply Chain Reality Check
While the engineering looks promising, industry sources suggest getting your hands on one of these might be challenging initially. The complex manufacturing processes required for that crease-free display and precision hinge mechanism could lead to significant production constraints through 2027. Apple typically prioritizes quality and yield rates over rushing to market, which means even with a September 2026 target, widespread availability might take longer.
This isn’t necessarily bad news for consumers. It means Apple is taking the time to get the details right rather than rushing out a half-baked product. The company has watched competitors navigate the early adopter phase of foldables, learning from their stumbles while developing their own solutions to persistent problems like display durability and hinge reliability.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
Compared to Samsung’s current foldables, Apple’s approach feels more deliberate. Where Samsung has chased thinness, Apple appears focused on perfecting the foldable experience itself. That slightly thicker profile accommodates engineering solutions for problems that have plagued foldables since their inception.
The pocket-sized iPad mini experience represents a different philosophy too. Rather than just making a phone bigger, Apple seems to be asking how a tablet can become more portable. It’s a subtle but important distinction that could redefine what people expect from foldable devices.
For professionals, students, or anyone who values screen real estate but hates carrying multiple devices, this could be the holy grail. Imagine traveling with just this one device instead of a phone and tablet, or moving from quick email checks on the outer screen to detailed spreadsheet work on the inner display without missing a beat.
The Bigger Picture
What these leaked CAD files ultimately reveal is Apple’s characteristic patience and precision. They’ve waited years to enter the foldable market, observing what works and what frustrates users. Now they appear ready to apply their particular brand of engineering rigor to the category.
The September 2026 timeline gives Apple plenty of time to refine these designs and manufacturing processes. By the time this device reaches consumers, the company will have had nearly a decade to study the foldable market’s evolution while developing their own solutions to its most persistent challenges.
For those of us who’ve been waiting for a foldable that doesn’t feel like a compromise, these leaks suggest the wait might just be worth it. Apple isn’t just making another foldable phone. They’re reimagining what a portable computing device can be, and if they get it right, they could redefine the category for everyone else.
