Imagine pulling a device from your pocket that unfolds to reveal a screen nearly matching your iPad mini. That’s exactly what Apple’s first foldable iPhone promises, according to freshly leaked CAD renders that give us our clearest look yet at what the company has been cooking up for years. Codenamed V68 and reportedly targeting a September 2026 launch, this isn’t just another foldable. It’s Apple’s calculated response to an entire category, and the details suggest they’ve been studying the competition closely.
| 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 unfolded |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 x 1,920 | pixels | Nearly matches iPad mini density |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Includes hinge mechanism |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Excluding camera bump |
| 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 Pocketable iPad Mini Dream
What strikes you first about these CAD renders is how Apple has rethought the foldable form factor. While most competitors chase extreme thinness, Apple appears focused on creating a device that disappears into your life. The 5.5-inch outer display measures 83.8mm wide by 120.6mm tall when folded, giving it a wider-than-tall orientation that actually fits in side pockets without that awkward tower-of-Pisa feeling.
Unfold it, and the magic happens. That compact package expands to 167.6mm by 120.6mm, revealing a 7.76-inch inner screen with a 2,713 by 1,920 resolution. For reference, that’s essentially an iPad mini’s worth of screen real estate that you can fold in half and slip into your jeans. Think about using split-screen apps for note-taking during meetings or reading documents on the go. The experience shifts from squinting at a phone screen to having a proper mini-tablet whenever you need it.
Engineering Over Thinness: The Crease-Free Promise
Here’s where Apple’s philosophy shines through. The leaked details show the device measures 9.6mm thick when folded and 4.8mm when unfolded. Compare that to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open, and you might wonder why Apple would accept slightly more thickness.
The answer lies in what that extra millimeter accommodates. Apple seems to be prioritizing a truly crease-free display experience over being the absolute thinnest. They’re reportedly using laser-drilled microstructures in the display panel, an engineering approach that Samsung apparently couldn’t crack. This isn’t just about specs on paper. It’s about that moment when you unfold the device and don’t see that distracting line down the middle of your content.
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame tells a similar story. Titanium provides that premium, durable feel Apple users expect, while aluminum likely handles thermal management and weight distribution. It’s the kind of material choice that speaks to long-term durability rather than just initial impressions.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
When you compare Apple’s approach to the current foldable landscape, the differences become telling. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 rumors point toward ever-thinner designs, but Apple appears willing to trade a fraction of a millimeter for what they consider a better user experience.
The wider folded stance creates what early reports describe as a squarer profile. It feels less like a traditional phone folded in half and more like a mini tablet that happens to fold. This design choice addresses one of the most common complaints about current foldables. Those tall, narrow outer displays can be awkward for one-handed use. Apple’s approach makes the closed device easier to grip horizontally and more natural for quick tasks without unfolding.
Camera Strategy: Quality Over Quantity
Camera specs reveal another aspect of Apple’s thinking. The renders show a dual rear setup 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 screen, there’s an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch or punch-hole, creating an uninterrupted viewing experience for media consumption.
Imagine watching a movie or video calling on that expansive 7.76-inch screen without any camera cutouts breaking the immersion. It’s those little details that separate a product designed for specs from one designed for people.
The Consumer Perspective: What This Means for You
Let’s talk about what this device might actually feel like to use day to day. That 4.8mm thickness when open beats even the ultra-slim iPhone Air, meaning it should feel remarkably sleek in tablet mode. The crease-free display technology could finally deliver on the promise foldables have been making for years. A screen that looks and feels like a single, continuous surface rather than two panels joined with a visible seam.
From an industry perspective, this Apple foldable CAD leak suggests the company has been watching competitors’ mistakes and successes closely. They’ve taken their time entering the foldable market, and these renders show they’re not just copying existing designs. They’re rethinking the form factor around how people actually use devices.
The supply chain whispers around this device are already hinting at potential challenges. Like many of Apple’s most ambitious products, finding one before 2027 might feel like winning the lottery. The combination of new display technology, precision hinge mechanisms, and mixed material construction could create production bottlenecks that keep initial quantities limited.
The Bigger Picture
What we’re seeing here isn’t just another foldable phone. It’s Apple’s vision for what happens when you stop thinking about phones and tablets as separate categories. The device codenamed V68 represents a convergence, a pocketable computer that adapts to your needs throughout the day.
The September 2026 timeline gives Apple plenty of time to refine the engineering and software experience. By the time this device launches, iOS will need to have evolved to truly leverage that folding form factor. Think about seamless app transitions between folded and unfolded states, new multitasking paradigms, and features that only make sense on a device that can be both compact and expansive.
For consumers who’ve been waiting for Apple to enter the foldable space, these leaks suggest the wait might be worth it. Rather than rushing to market with a me-too product, Apple appears to be engineering a device that solves the actual pain points of current foldables while delivering that signature Apple experience. The pocket-sized iPad mini might finally be coming, and if these CAD renders are accurate, it could redefine what we expect from mobile devices.
