Imagine pulling an iPad mini from your pocket, unfolding it with a satisfying snap, and having a full tablet experience that disappears back into your jeans when you’re done. That’s the promise of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, codenamed V68, and newly leaked CAD renders give us our clearest look yet at what could be the most significant iPhone redesign in over a decade. Set for a September 2026 launch, this device isn’t just another foldable, it’s Apple’s carefully calculated response to years of watching competitors stumble through the folding phone market.
| 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 density for split-screen apps |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Mixed titanium and aluminum frame |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Excluding camera bump, thinner than iPhone Air |
| Expected Launch | September | 2026 | Codenamed V68, Apple’s first foldable iPhone |
The Pocket-Friendly Design That Actually Makes Sense
What immediately stands out about Apple’s approach is the folded dimensions. At 83.8mm wide and 120.6mm tall, this isn’t another tall, narrow slab that feels awkward in side pockets. The wider-than-tall orientation when closed creates what feels like a mini tablet folded in half, something that actually slips into your pocket without that telltale rectangle bulge. It’s a design choice that addresses one of the biggest complaints about current foldables, their awkward proportions when you just want to use them as a regular phone.
When you unfold it, the experience transforms completely. That 7.76-inch inner screen at 2,713 × 1,920 resolution gives you nearly identical real estate to an iPad mini. Picture this, you’re on a flight, you unfold your phone, and suddenly you have enough screen space for split-screen note-taking while watching a video, or comfortably reading a PDF without constant zooming. The dimensions are deliberate, 167.6mm × 120.6mm, optimized for the kind of multitasking Apple knows iPad users love.
Engineering the Impossible, a Truly Crease-Free Display
Here’s where Apple’s famous patience pays off. While competitors rushed to market with foldables that inevitably developed visible creases, Apple appears to have waited until they could engineer what might be the first truly crease-free folding display. The secret, according to the leaks, lies in laser-drilled microstructures, a manufacturing technique that Samsung reportedly couldn’t crack.
This engineering comes with tradeoffs. At 9.6mm thick when folded and 4.8mm when open, Apple’s foldable is slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, which measures 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open. But that extra millimeter or so accommodates the mechanisms needed for that crease-free experience. It’s a classic Apple move, prioritizing user experience over being the absolute thinnest. The mixed titanium and aluminum frame should provide the durability foldables desperately need, addressing another common complaint about fragile hinge mechanisms.
Speaking of Samsung, this Galaxy Z Flip 8 represents the current state of the art in foldable refinement, but Apple’s approach feels fundamentally different. Where Samsung focuses on making foldables as thin as possible, Apple seems willing to add a bit of thickness to solve the crease problem permanently.
Camera Strategy, Quality Over Quantity
Apple’s camera approach for their first foldable appears conservative but smart. The leaks point to a dual rear camera setup similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17, prioritizing sensor quality and computational photography over adding more lenses just for the spec sheet. It’s the same philosophy that made the iPhone’s camera system legendary, doing more with fewer, better components.
Inside, the inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch or punch-hole. This creates an uninterrupted viewing experience for media consumption, something that matters when you’re unfolding your phone specifically for that tablet-like experience. Imagine watching a movie on that 7.76-inch screen without any camera cutouts breaking the immersion.
The Reality Check, Will You Actually Be Able to Buy One?
Here’s where we need to temper excitement with reality. As we’ve seen with Apple’s first foldable iPhone production challenges, manufacturing a device this complex at Apple’s expected scale presents enormous hurdles. The laser-drilled microstructure display technology alone could limit initial production volumes, potentially making this device as elusive as early Apple Watches or Vision Pro headsets.
That September 2026 launch date feels ambitious when you consider the supply chain complexities. Apple typically doesn’t enter a category unless they believe they can perfect it, and perfecting foldable technology means solving problems that have stumped the entire industry for years. The fact that these CAD renders exist suggests Apple is far along in development, but turning prototypes into millions of reliable consumer devices is another challenge entirely.
Why This Matters Beyond Just Another iPhone
Apple’s entry into the foldable market validates the entire category. For years, foldables have felt like enthusiast devices with compromises. Apple’s approach, if these leaks prove accurate, suggests they’re targeting the mainstream by solving the most obvious pain points, the crease and the awkward folded form factor.
This device could do for foldables what the iPhone did for smartphones, making the technology feel inevitable rather than experimental. The wider folded design makes one-handed use actually practical when closed. The crease-free display removes the visual reminder that you’re using folding technology. And the iPad mini-sized screen when unfolded provides a genuine productivity boost rather than just a novelty.
Much like how the OnePlus 15R redefined what a mid-range powerhouse could deliver, Apple’s foldable iPhone could redefine what we expect from premium mobile devices. It’s not just about folding, it’s about creating a device that seamlessly transitions between being your primary phone and your compact tablet, without asking you to compromise on either experience.
As we look toward 2026, these leaks give us a glimpse of Apple’s folding philosophy, one that appears to prioritize solving real user problems over chasing spec sheet victories. If they can deliver on this promise while navigating the production challenges, we might finally have the foldable that doesn’t feel like a compromise, but rather the natural evolution of what a smartphone should be.
