Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Leak Reveals a Pocket-Sized iPad Mini Experience

You know that feeling when you first held an iPad mini and thought, “If only this could fit in my pocket”? Well, Apple’s engineering team might have been thinking the same thing. Fresh CAD leaks reveal what could be the company’s most ambitious hardware project yet: a foldable iPhone that transforms from a compact 5.5-inch smartphone into a 7.76-inch tablet that genuinely rivals the iPad mini experience.

What makes this leak particularly exciting isn’t just the folding mechanism—it’s how Apple appears to have approached the problem differently from everyone else. While competitors raced to make the thinnest foldables possible, Apple seems to have prioritized something more valuable: a truly crease-free display experience.

The Engineering Behind the Magic

Let’s talk about that display first. When folded, you’re looking at a 5.5-inch outer screen measuring 83.8mm wide by 120.6mm tall. That wider-than-tall orientation isn’t just for looks—it actually makes the device slip into side pockets more comfortably than today’s towering smartphone slabs. Unfold it, and you get a 7.76-inch inner display at 2,713 × 1,920 resolution, nearly matching an iPad mini for split-screen apps or serious note-taking sessions.

Here’s where Apple’s engineering philosophy shines through. At just 4.8mm thin when open (excluding the camera bump), it’s actually thinner than the ultra-slim iPhone Air. But the real story is in the thickness when folded: 9.6mm. That’s slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed, but there’s a good reason for that extra bulk.

Apple appears to be using laser-drilled microstructures in the display panel—technology that Samsung reportedly couldn’t crack—to achieve what might be the first genuinely crease-free foldable display. That extra millimeter of thickness accommodates the engineering required to make the display feel like a single, continuous piece of glass rather than something that folds in the middle.

Designed for Real Hands, Real Pockets

Pick up this foldable, and you’ll immediately notice something different about the ergonomics. 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 isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it makes the device easier to grip horizontally and enables better one-handed use when closed.

Remember those complaints about tall, narrow outer displays on competing foldables that made typing feel cramped? Apple’s design team clearly listened. The mixed titanium and aluminum frame adds durability without excessive weight, creating a device that feels substantial but not burdensome in your pocket.

Imagine pulling this out on a flight: closed, it’s a perfectly usable smartphone for quick messages and calls. Unfold it, and suddenly you have a proper tablet for watching movies, editing documents, or sketching ideas. That seamless transition between form factors is where foldables should excel, and Apple’s approach suggests they understand this better than most.

Camera System That Prioritizes Quality

On the imaging front, the leaks point to a dual rear camera setup similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17. This isn’t about cramming in as many lenses as possible—it’s about prioritizing quality over quantity. The inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch, creating an uninterrupted viewing experience for media consumption.

Think about watching a movie on that 7.76-inch display without any camera cutouts interrupting the action. Or video calling with the device unfolded, using the larger screen to see more of the person you’re talking to. These are the small but meaningful improvements that transform a technical specification into a better user experience.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

Compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open, Apple’s approach is slightly thicker but potentially more durable and crease-free. That trade-off reflects Apple’s typical philosophy: don’t be the first to market, but when you arrive, make sure the experience is polished.

The company’s foldable strategy took years to materialize, and these renders suggest they’ve been carefully studying competitors’ mistakes. From hinge mechanisms that accumulate dust to displays that develop permanent creases, Apple appears to have waited until they could address these pain points properly.

The Reality of Getting One

Now for the practical reality. With an expected September 2026 launch (codenamed V68), there’s still considerable time before this device reaches consumers. More importantly, supply chain reports suggest that finding one before 2027 might feel like winning the lottery. The complex manufacturing processes required for that crease-free display, combined with Apple’s typical quality standards, could mean limited initial availability.

This isn’t just speculation—industry sources point to significant production challenges that could keep this device elusive through its first year. If you’re planning to upgrade, you might want to start saving now and prepare for some patience when pre-orders open.

Why This Matters Beyond the Spec Sheet

What makes this leak genuinely exciting isn’t just the technical specifications—it’s what they represent for the future of mobile computing. A device that genuinely bridges the gap between smartphone convenience and tablet productivity could change how we think about mobile workflows.

Picture architects reviewing blueprints on site, students taking notes in lectures, or creatives sketching ideas wherever inspiration strikes—all with a single device that fits in a jacket pocket. The promise of foldables has always been this convergence, but execution has often fallen short. Apple’s approach, with its focus on display quality and ergonomic design, suggests they might finally deliver on that promise.

The crease-free engineering alone could be a game-changer. If Apple can make a foldable display that looks and feels like traditional glass, it removes one of the biggest psychological barriers to adoption. No more worrying about that visible line down the middle of your screen—just a seamless surface that happens to fold.

As we look toward 2026, it’s clear that Apple isn’t just entering the foldable market—they’re attempting to redefine what a foldable should be. From the pocket-friendly dimensions to the crease-free display technology, every detail suggests a device designed for real-world use rather than technical bragging rights. The wait might be long, and getting your hands on one might require some luck, but if these leaks are accurate, Apple’s first foldable could be worth both.