Imagine pulling a device from your pocket that unfolds into something nearly the size of an iPad Mini, yet feels completely seamless when you close it. That’s the promise of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, and thanks to a detailed CAD leak from iPhone-Ticker.de, we’re getting our clearest look yet at what the company has been cooking up. Codenamed V68 and reportedly targeting a September 2026 launch, this isn’t just another foldable. It’s Apple’s calculated response to years of watching competitors navigate the folding phone landscape, and the details suggest they’ve been taking notes.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm wide x 120.6mm tall when folded |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | 167.6 x 120.6mm unfolded, 2,713 x 1,920 resolution |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Including hinge mechanism |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Excluding camera bump |
| Display Technology | Crease-Free | — | Laser-drilled microstructures |
| Frame Material | Titanium + Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability |
| Rear Camera System | Dual | — | Similar to iPhone 17 setup |
| Front Camera (Inner) | Under-Display | — | No visible notch or punch-hole |
| Target Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68 |
The Pocket-Sized iPad Mini Experience
What immediately stands out about Apple’s approach is the folded form factor. At 83.8mm wide and 120.6mm tall, it’s wider than it is tall when closed. This might sound like a minor detail, but it changes everything about how the device feels in your hand and pocket. Instead of the tall, narrow outer displays that have become common on foldables, Apple’s design creates a squarer profile that feels more like a mini tablet folded in half than a traditional smartphone.
When you unfold it, that 7.76-inch inner screen delivers an experience that’s remarkably close to using an iPad Mini. The 2,713 x 1,920 resolution means you’re getting plenty of real estate for split-screen apps, note taking, or media consumption. Picture this: you’re on a flight, you unfold the device, and suddenly you have enough screen space to comfortably watch a movie while checking your messages. That’s the kind of practical utility Apple seems to be targeting.
The Crease-Free Promise
Here’s where Apple appears to be making its biggest statement. The leaked CAD details reveal the company is prioritizing a truly crease-free experience over chasing the absolute thinnest profile. At 9.6mm thick when folded and 4.8mm when open, it’s slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, which measures 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open. But that extra thickness accommodates what might be the most important engineering decision: laser-drilled microstructures that reportedly eliminate the visible crease that has plagued foldable displays since their inception.
Think about running your finger across the screen. With most foldables, you can feel that center seam. According to these leaks, Apple’s solution aims to make that sensation disappear entirely. It’s a classic Apple move. Wait, observe what frustrates users about existing solutions, then engineer around those pain points rather than rushing to market with a compromise.
Build Quality That Feels Like Apple
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame suggests Apple is serious about durability without sacrificing that premium feel. Titanium provides structural integrity around the hinge area, where stress is highest, while aluminum keeps the overall weight manageable. This isn’t just about specs on paper. It’s about how the device feels when you pick it up, how the hinge operates with that satisfying Apple precision, and whether it can withstand being opened and closed hundreds of times.
Remember when you first held an iPhone with a stainless steel frame? That weighty, substantial feel told you this was a quality product. Apple seems to be aiming for that same tactile reassurance with their foldable, but adapted for a completely new form factor.
Cameras That Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
The dual rear camera setup, reportedly similar to what we’ll see on the iPhone 17, suggests Apple isn’t trying to win a megapixel war. Instead, they’re focusing on sensor quality, computational photography, and that seamless integration between hardware and software that has defined their camera systems for years. The under-display selfie camera on the inner screen is particularly interesting. No notch, no punch-hole, just an uninterrupted canvas for whatever you’re viewing or creating.
Imagine video calling on that expansive inner display without any visual interruptions. Or watching a movie where the action flows edge to edge. These are the kinds of experiences that could make Apple’s foldable feel genuinely next-generation, not just a folding version of what already exists.
How It Stacks Up Against Samsung
Comparing the leaked specs to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 reveals Apple’s different priorities. Samsung’s device is slightly thinner, but Apple appears willing to trade that slimness for what they believe is a superior display experience. The wider folded stance also addresses a common complaint about Samsung’s foldables: that tall, narrow outer display can feel awkward for typing and one-handed use.
With Apple’s design, when the device is closed, you get something that’s easier to grip horizontally and more comfortable for quick tasks. It’s a subtle but meaningful difference in philosophy. Samsung has been refining the foldable form factor for years, but Apple’s approach suggests they’ve been studying what works and what doesn’t before making their move.
The Reality of Getting One in Your Hands
While the September 2026 target sounds exciting, it’s worth remembering that production challenges could make early units scarce. Apple has never been a company to rush products to market, especially not with something as complex as a foldable display. The engineering required for that crease-free experience, combined with Apple’s notorious quality standards, means initial production volumes might be limited.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It suggests Apple would rather get it right than get it fast. But it does mean that if you’re excited about this device, you might need to be patient. The supply chain for foldable displays is complex, and Apple’s exacting standards could create bottlenecks that make finding one before 2027 feel like winning the lottery.
Why This Could Change How We Think About Foldables
What’s most compelling about these leaks isn’t just the specs. It’s the apparent philosophy behind them. Apple seems to be asking: What if a foldable device didn’t feel like a compromise? What if the hinge felt as solid as a MacBook’s? What if the display truly felt seamless? What if it offered a tablet-sized experience without forcing you to carry something that feels bulky in your pocket?
The answers suggested by these CAD files point toward a device that could redefine expectations for the entire category. Not by being first, but by being Apple. By waiting, observing, and then executing with the kind of attention to detail that has made their products iconic.
Of course, these are still leaks. Things could change between now and 2026. But if even half of what these CAD files suggest comes to fruition, Apple’s first foldable could be worth the wait. It represents not just a new product category for the company, but a potential evolution in how we think about the devices we carry with us every day. The promise isn’t just a phone that folds. It’s a pocket-sized window that unfolds into something much larger, without asking you to compromise on the quality or experience you expect from Apple.
