Imagine slipping a device into your pocket that unfolds to reveal a screen nearly matching your iPad mini. That’s exactly what Apple seems to be engineering with its first foldable iPhone, codenamed V68, according to detailed CAD renders that leaked this week. These technical drawings, sourced from iPhone-Ticker.de, show Apple isn’t just entering the foldable market, it’s rethinking what a pocketable tablet can be.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm wide × 120.6mm tall when folded |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | 167.6 × 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 |
| Expected Launch | September | 2026 | Based on current supply chain timelines |
| Frame Material | Titanium + Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability and weight balance |
| Camera System | Dual Rear | — | Similar to iPhone 17 setup, under-display selfie camera |
| Display Technology | Crease-Free | — | Laser-drilled microstructures for seamless viewing |
The Engineering Behind the Fold
What immediately stands out in these CAD renders is Apple’s clear priority, a truly crease-free experience. While Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm closed and 4.2mm open, Apple’s design comes in at 9.6mm folded and 4.8mm unfolded. That extra millimeter isn’t a compromise, it’s engineering space dedicated to solving the foldable display’s most persistent problem, the visible crease.
Apple’s approach uses laser-drilled microstructures, a manufacturing technique that Samsung reportedly couldn’t perfect. These microscopic perforations allow the display to bend without creating the permanent stress points that lead to visible lines. It’s the kind of solution that feels distinctly Apple, prioritizing user experience over chasing spec sheet thinness.
The wider folded stance creates what engineers call a “squarer profile.” When closed, it feels less like a traditional phone and more like a mini tablet folded in half. This design choice addresses one of the biggest complaints about current foldables, their tall, narrow outer displays that can feel awkward for one-handed use. Apple’s version should slip into side pockets more naturally and offer better grip when you’re just checking notifications.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
When you unfold this device, you’re getting 7.76 inches of screen real estate at 2,713 × 1,920 resolution. That’s nearly identical to an iPad mini’s viewing area, perfect for split-screen apps, note-taking, or watching content without constantly zooming and panning. The under-display selfie camera means no visible notch or punch-hole, creating an uninterrupted canvas for media consumption.
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame represents another thoughtful engineering decision. Titanium provides structural rigidity around the hinge area where stress concentrates during folding, while aluminum keeps overall weight manageable. This isn’t Apple’s first dance with titanium, the material already appears in the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra, giving the company valuable manufacturing experience.
Camera enthusiasts will notice Apple sticking with a dual rear setup similar to the upcoming iPhone 17, prioritizing sensor quality and computational photography over adding more lenses. It’s a reminder that Apple’s foldable strategy appears focused on refinement rather than revolution, learning from competitors’ mistakes before committing to its first folding device.
The Daily Experience
Think about your typical day, checking messages on the go, then settling into a coffee shop to catch up on work. With this device, that transition becomes seamless. The 5.5-inch outer display handles quick tasks comfortably, while unfolding reveals a proper tablet interface for productivity. The wider aspect ratio when closed makes typing one-handed actually feasible, something that’s been a pain point with taller foldables.
Battery life will be crucial, and while the CAD renders don’t reveal capacity, Apple’s recent focus on efficiency across its silicon lineup suggests the company understands the power demands of driving two displays. The A-series chip expected in this device will likely be optimized for the unique thermal and power profile of a foldable form factor.
Software integration is where Apple could truly shine. Imagine iPadOS features adapted for this hybrid device, with Stage Manager intelligently adjusting to the folded or unfolded state. The wider outer display could enable unique notification interactions or quick actions that current foldables haven’t quite nailed.
Production Realities and Availability
Set for a September 2026 launch according to current timelines, this device represents Apple’s careful, methodical approach to new form factors. The company has watched the foldable market develop for years, studying what works and what frustrates users. These CAD renders suggest Apple believes the crease-free experience is worth the slight thickness premium.
However, as with any ambitious hardware project, production challenges could affect availability. The laser-drilled microstructure technology represents new manufacturing territory, and achieving consistent yields at scale will be critical. Apple’s supply chain relationships and vertical integration give it advantages, but complex new display technologies always carry risk.
The mixed materials construction adds another layer of manufacturing complexity. Joining titanium and aluminum sections requires precise engineering to ensure durability while maintaining the premium feel Apple customers expect. It’s the kind of challenge Apple’s hardware team has tackled before with products like the MacBook Pro’s unibody construction.
Why This Matters Beyond Specs
This leak reveals more than just dimensions and materials, it shows Apple’s philosophy for foldables. While competitors raced to be thinnest or have the most cameras, Apple appears focused on solving the fundamental usability issues that have held foldables back from mainstream adoption.
The crease-free display isn’t just a technical achievement, it’s about removing a daily reminder that you’re using a compromised display. The wider folded form factor isn’t just different proportions, it’s about making the device actually comfortable to use in its most common state. And the iPad mini-sized inner screen isn’t just about size, it’s about providing a familiar, productive canvas that doesn’t require learning new interaction patterns.
As Apple’s first foldable iPhone takes shape in these CAD renders, what emerges is a device that feels considered rather than rushed. It’s Apple doing what Apple does best, entering a category late but with solutions to problems early entrants either ignored or couldn’t solve. For consumers who’ve been waiting for a foldable that doesn’t feel like a compromise, September 2026 might be worth marking on the calendar.
The true test will come when these engineering drawings become physical devices we can hold, fold, and use daily. But if Apple executes on what these CAD files promise, the company might not just be entering the foldable market, it could be defining what the category should have been from the start.
