| 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, 2,713 × 1,920 resolution |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Excluding camera bump |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Thinner than iPhone Air when open |
| Frame Material | Titanium + Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability |
| Camera System | Dual Rear | — | Similar to iPhone 17, under-display selfie camera |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68 |
You know that feeling when you’re trying to slip a modern smartphone into your jeans pocket and it feels like you’re carrying a small tablet? Apple’s engineers apparently do too. Fresh CAD leaks of the company’s long-rumored foldable iPhone reveal something genuinely surprising: a device that packs an iPad mini-sized experience into a form factor that actually, truly fits in your pocket.
The leaked renders, sourced from iPhone-Ticker.de, show Apple’s folding iPhone (internally codenamed V68) targeting a September 2026 launch. What immediately stands out isn’t just the folding mechanism, but the thoughtful proportions. When closed, you’re looking at a 5.5-inch outer display measuring 83.8mm wide and 120.6mm tall. That wider-than-tall orientation means it slips into side pockets with none of the awkward tower-like bulk of today’s flagship slabs.
The iPad Mini Experience, Unfolded
Open it up, and the magic happens. The device expands to 167.6 × 120.6mm with a 7.76-inch inner screen running at 2,713 × 1,920 resolution. That’s nearly identical to an iPad mini’s canvas, perfect for split-screen apps, note-taking, or just enjoying media without constantly zooming and panning. At just 4.8mm thin when unfolded (excluding the camera bump), it’s actually slimmer than even the ultra-slim iPhone Air.
But here’s where Apple’s engineering philosophy shines through. The company appears to be prioritizing a truly crease-free experience over chasing the absolute thinnest profile. The device measures 9.6mm thick when folded and 4.8mm unfolded, making it slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open. That extra millimeter or so accommodates the complex engineering required for what Apple claims will be a genuinely crease-free display, achieved through laser-drilled microstructures that competitors like Samsung haven’t been able to perfect.
Engineering That Feels Different in Hand
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’s a functional one. The shape makes it easier to grip horizontally and enables better one-handed use when closed, directly addressing one of the most common complaints about tall, narrow outer displays on competing foldables.
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame suggests Apple is serious about durability without compromising on weight. You can feel the difference when you pick up a device with proper structural materials versus cheaper alternatives. It’s that solid, premium heft that tells you this isn’t just another gadget, it’s something built to last.
Camera Philosophy and Daily Use
Camera specs follow Apple’s typical philosophy of prioritizing quality over quantity. The dual rear setup appears similar to what we expect from the iPhone 17, focusing on sensor quality and computational photography rather than adding extra lenses for marketing bullet points. The inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch or punch-hole, creating an uninterrupted viewing experience for video calls or media consumption.
Think about your daily workflow. That moment when you need to quickly check an email on the go, the outer display gives you a proper smartphone experience. Then when you settle into a coffee shop or board a flight, unfolding reveals that iPad mini-sized canvas perfect for productivity or entertainment. It’s the kind of device that adapts to your needs rather than forcing you to adapt to its limitations.
The Bigger Picture in Foldable Evolution
While Samsung has been pushing the boundaries with devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Apple’s approach feels characteristically deliberate. The company has watched the foldable market evolve, learned from competitors’ mistakes, and appears to be waiting until it can deliver something that meets its exacting standards. These CAD leaks suggest that moment might finally be approaching.
However, as we’ve seen with production challenges facing Apple’s first foldable, getting this device into consumers’ hands at scale might prove difficult. The complex engineering required for that crease-free display, combined with Apple’s typical supply chain demands, could mean limited availability initially.
What’s fascinating is how this device fits into Apple’s broader ecosystem strategy. It’s not just a folding phone, it’s essentially a pocketable iPad mini that happens to make calls. For users already invested in Apple’s ecosystem, that seamless integration between iPhone and iPad experiences in a single device could be incredibly compelling.
The wider tech landscape is shifting too, with companies like Samsung exploring new chipset directions as seen in the Exynos 2600 leaks. Apple’s vertical integration gives it unique advantages in optimizing hardware and software for this new form factor.
Looking at these CAD renders, you can see Apple’s signature approach: observe the market, identify what actually matters to users, then engineer a solution that feels inevitable in retrospect. The crease-free display, the pocket-friendly proportions, the premium materials, they all point to a device designed not just to fold, but to fit seamlessly into how people actually live and work.
Will it be worth the wait? Based on what these leaks reveal about Apple’s thoughtful engineering and user-centric design philosophy, the answer might just be yes. Sometimes the best innovations aren’t about being first, they’re about being right.
