| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | Wider-than-tall orientation, 83.8 x 120.6mm |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | Unfolded dimensions: 167.6 x 120.6mm |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 x 1,920 | pixels | Nearly matches iPad mini pixel density |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Includes hinge mechanism and display layers |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Excluding camera bump, thinner than iPhone Air |
| Frame Material | Titanium & Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability and weight balance |
| Rear Camera System | Dual | lenses | Similar to iPhone 17, quality over quantity approach |
| Front Camera | Under-Display | — | No visible notch on inner screen |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68 in development |
Imagine slipping a device into your pocket that feels like a modern smartphone but unfolds into something closer to an iPad mini. That’s exactly what Apple appears 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 tackle the folding form factor.
The renders, sourced from iPhone Ticker, reveal a device codenamed V68 that’s shaping up for a September 2026 debut. What’s immediately striking isn’t just that Apple is entering the foldable space, but how they’re approaching it differently from everyone else.
The Pocket-Sized iPad Mini Experience
When folded, Apple’s design measures 83.8mm wide by 120.6mm tall with a 5.5-inch outer display. That wider-than-tall orientation might seem unusual at first glance, but it’s a deliberate choice that makes the device slip into side pockets more comfortably than today’s towering smartphone slabs. You know that awkward moment when your current phone barely fits in your jeans pocket? This design seems to solve that.
Unfold the device, and it expands to 167.6mm by 120.6mm, revealing a 7.76-inch inner screen with a 2,713 by 1,920 resolution. For context, that’s nearly identical to the screen real estate you get on an iPad mini. Picture using split-screen apps for multitasking or jotting down notes with Apple Pencil support, all from a device that started its day folded in your pocket.
The engineering here feels characteristically Apple. At just 4.8mm thin when unfolded (excluding the camera bump), it’s actually slimmer than even the ultra-slim iPhone Air. But the real magic happens in how they’ve apparently solved the crease problem that’s plagued foldables since their inception.
The Crease-Free Promise
According to the leaks, Apple is using laser-drilled microstructures in the display assembly to create what might be the first truly crease-free folding experience. This isn’t just about minimizing a visible line, it’s about eliminating that tactile ridge you feel when swiping across current foldable displays. Samsung has struggled with this for years, and Apple seems to have taken their time to engineer a proper solution rather than rushing to market.
The trade off? Slightly more thickness. When folded, the device measures 9.6mm thick, and when unfolded it’s 4.8mm. Compare that to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open, and you can see where Apple decided to invest their engineering budget. That extra millimeter or so accommodates the display technology needed for that crease-free experience, plus a mixed titanium and aluminum frame that should offer serious durability.
This approach tells us something important about Apple’s foldable philosophy. They’re prioritizing user experience over being the absolute thinnest, which makes sense when you consider how people actually use these devices day to day.
Design That Actually Makes Sense
The wider folded stance creates what the leaks describe as a “squarer profile” that feels less like a traditional phone and more like a mini tablet folded in half. This isn’t just an aesthetic choice, it has practical implications for how you’ll use the device.
That shape makes it easier to grip horizontally, enabling better one-handed use when closed. It directly addresses complaints about the tall, narrow outer displays on competing foldables that can feel awkward for quick tasks like checking notifications or replying to messages. You won’t need to unfold the device for every little interaction, which is exactly how foldables should work.
Camera specs follow Apple’s typical “quality over quantity” approach with a dual rear setup similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17. The inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch, creating an uninterrupted viewing experience for media consumption. Imagine watching a movie or video calling without any camera cutouts interrupting the display, it’s a small detail that makes a big difference in daily use.
The Samsung Comparison
It’s impossible not to compare Apple’s approach to Samsung’s, especially since Samsung has essentially defined the foldable market for years. Where Samsung has focused on pushing thickness boundaries with devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Apple appears to be taking a more measured approach.
The extra thickness in Apple’s design accommodates not just the crease-free display technology, but likely better hinge mechanics and more robust construction. In the supply chain world, we’ve seen how thinner designs can sometimes compromise long term reliability, and Apple seems to be avoiding that trade off entirely.
What’s interesting is that Apple’s entry comes after years of watching competitors navigate the foldable learning curve. They’ve had the luxury of observing what works and what doesn’t in real world usage, and these CAD files suggest they’ve been paying attention.
The Reality of Getting One
Here’s where things get complicated for early adopters. While the September 2026 launch target sounds exciting, industry sources suggest that Apple’s first foldable iPhone might be nearly impossible to find before 2027. The combination of complex manufacturing processes for those laser-drilled microstructures and likely high demand could create serious supply constraints.
This isn’t unusual for Apple when they enter a new product category. Remember the original iPhone or Apple Watch launches? Limited availability is almost part of the company’s playbook, creating both frustration and desirability in equal measure.
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame also points to production challenges. Titanium machining is notoriously difficult and expensive, which could further limit initial production volumes. When you combine that with what will likely be premium pricing, this device might remain an elusive trophy for all but the most dedicated Apple enthusiasts in its first year.
What This Means for Your Daily Life
Let’s talk practically about how this device might change your routine. That wider folded form factor means it’ll actually fit in places where current phones struggle. Think about slipping it into the smaller pockets on workout shorts or that slim interior pocket in your jacket, it’s designed for real world carry.
When you need more screen real estate, whether for replying to emails, editing documents, or watching content, that 7.76-inch display gives you iPad mini levels of productivity without carrying a separate device. The crease-free experience means you won’t be constantly aware of the folding mechanism during use, which is crucial for making the technology feel mature rather than experimental.
Battery life remains the big unknown here. Foldables typically need to power two displays while maintaining reasonable thickness, which creates engineering challenges. Apple’s approach of slightly increased thickness might actually work in their favor here, allowing for larger battery cells or more efficient thermal management.
Software integration will be everything. How will iOS adapt to this new form factor? Will we see new multitasking features optimized for the larger screen? These are questions that go beyond hardware specs and into how Apple envisions people actually using foldable technology.
Looking at the broader picture, Apple’s entry validates the foldable category in a way no other company could. When they finally release this device, it signals that foldable technology has reached a level of maturity that meets Apple’s notoriously high standards. That’s good news for everyone in the space, as it will drive innovation and competition across the board.
The leaked CAD files show a company learning from years of competitor experimentation while applying their own design philosophy. They’re not just making a folding phone, they’re rethinking what a pocketable computing device can be. Whether you’ll actually be able to buy one in 2026 is another question entirely, given the major supply crunch Apple’s first foldable iPhone faces, but the vision they’re presenting is compelling nonetheless.
What we’re seeing here isn’t just another foldable, it’s Apple’s interpretation of what this technology should be, focused on user experience over spec sheet victories. That approach has served them well in the past, and if these leaks are accurate, it might just redefine what we expect from pocketable devices altogether.
