Imagine unfolding your iPhone to reveal a screen nearly the size of an iPad mini, then folding it back into something that slips comfortably into your pocket. That’s the promise emerging from leaked CAD files of Apple’s long-rumored foldable device, codenamed V68. These engineering drawings, sourced from iPhone-Ticker.de, give us our clearest look yet at how Apple plans to enter the foldable market, and it’s shaping up to be a thoughtful, user-focused approach rather than a rushed me-too product.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm wide × 120.6mm tall when folded |
| Inner Display | 7.76 | inch | 167.6mm × 120.6mm unfolded, 2,713 × 1,920 resolution |
| 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 |
| Rear Cameras | Dual | — | Similar setup to iPhone 17, quality over quantity |
| Front Camera | Under-Display | — | No visible notch on inner screen |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68, pending production timelines |
The Engineering Behind the Magic
What immediately stands out about Apple’s approach is their apparent solution to the foldable display’s most persistent problem, the crease. According to the leaked documents, Apple engineers have developed laser-drilled microstructures that distribute stress across the flexible OLED panel in a way that eliminates the visible crease that plagues current foldables. This isn’t just a minor improvement, it’s the kind of fundamental engineering challenge that Apple typically waits to solve before entering a new product category.
The device’s dimensions tell an interesting story about Apple’s design philosophy. When folded, it measures 83.8mm wide by 120.6mm tall, creating a wider, squarer profile that feels more like a mini tablet folded in half than a traditional smartphone. This design choice has practical benefits, it makes the device easier to grip horizontally and enables better one-handed use when closed. You won’t be fumbling with a tall, narrow outer display like on some competing foldables.
Daily Use and Practical Considerations
Unfold the device, and you’re greeted with a 7.76-inch screen at 2,713 × 1,920 resolution. That’s nearly identical to the viewing area of an iPad mini, which means you get proper split-screen multitasking, comfortable note-taking, and immersive media consumption in a package that actually fits in your pocket. At just 4.8mm thin when open (excluding the camera bump), it’s even slimmer than the ultra-thin iPhone Air.
The trade-off for that crease-free display engineering is a slight thickness increase compared to current foldables. At 9.6mm when folded, it’s thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed. But here’s where Apple’s priorities become clear, they’re choosing durability and display quality over being the absolute thinnest. The mixed titanium and aluminum frame suggests they’re serious about build quality, something that’s been a weak point for some early foldables.
Camera Strategy and Display Integration
Apple appears to be taking a conservative but smart approach to cameras. The dual rear setup is said to be similar to what we’ll see on the iPhone 17, prioritizing sensor quality and computational photography over adding extra lenses. More interesting is the inner screen’s under-display selfie camera, which leaves no visible notch or punch-hole. When you’re watching a movie or reading an article, you get an uninterrupted viewing experience, something that matters more on a larger display meant for media consumption.
Market Context and What It Means for You
Set for a September 2026 launch according to these leaks, Apple’s foldable enters a market that Samsung has dominated for years. But Apple’s typical pattern is to wait, watch competitors make mistakes, then release a more polished product. These CAD files suggest they’ve been doing exactly that. The wider folded stance addresses ergonomic complaints about current foldables, while the focus on a truly crease-free experience tackles the most common user complaint.
However, potential buyers should be aware that supply constraints could make this device difficult to find initially. Apple’s meticulous approach to new technologies often means limited production capacity in the first generation. When you compare it to Samsung’s ongoing refinement of their Galaxy Z Flip lineup, you can see two different philosophies at work, Samsung iterating quickly versus Apple perfecting before release.
For everyday users, the practical implications are significant. This isn’t just a folding phone, it’s a device that could replace both your iPhone and your iPad mini for many tasks. The ability to slip a nearly 8-inch screen into your pocket changes how we think about mobile productivity and entertainment. Whether you’re reviewing documents on a train, watching videos during a flight, or simply wanting a larger canvas for creative work, Apple’s foldable appears designed to fit seamlessly into your workflow.
As with any leak, these details should be taken as indications of Apple’s direction rather than final specifications. But if these CAD files are accurate, they reveal a company that’s studied the foldable market carefully and is preparing to enter it with a product that prioritizes user experience over mere technical specifications. That’s typically when Apple does its best work, and it could mean we’re about to see foldable technology mature in ways that benefit all of us.
