After years of watching Samsung, Google, and Chinese manufacturers iterate on foldable designs, Apple appears ready to enter the arena with what could be the most polished folding phone yet. Fresh CAD leaks from iPhone-Ticker.de give us our clearest look at Apple’s first foldable iPhone, codenamed V68, and it’s shaping up to deliver something genuinely exciting, a pocket-sized iPad mini experience without the compromises that have plagued earlier foldables.
| 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 | 167.6mm x 120.6mm unfolded |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 x 1,920 | pixels | Near iPad mini pixel density |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Includes 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 Camera System | Dual | — | Similar setup to iPhone 17, quality over quantity |
| Front Camera | Under-Display | — | No visible notch or punch-hole |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Codenamed V68, subject to production timelines |
Apple’s Calculated Approach to Foldables
What’s immediately striking about these CAD leaks isn’t just the hardware itself, but the design philosophy they reveal. Apple has clearly been studying the foldable market for years, learning from both the successes and failures of early adopters. Rather than rushing to be first, they’ve waited to solve what many consider the foldable’s biggest pain point, the visible crease that plagues even the best Samsung and Google devices.
The leaked dimensions tell a story of thoughtful engineering. When folded, the device measures 83.8mm wide by 120.6mm tall, creating a wider, squarer profile that feels less like a traditional smartphone and more like a mini tablet folded in half. This orientation isn’t accidental, it addresses one of the most common complaints about current foldables, their tall, narrow outer displays that can feel awkward for typing and one-handed use.
The Crease-Free Breakthrough
Here’s where Apple’s engineering might actually move the needle for the entire category. According to the leaks, Apple is using laser-drilled microstructures in the display assembly to achieve what Samsung hasn’t been able to crack, a truly crease-free viewing experience. This technical approach explains why Apple’s foldable measures slightly thicker than competitors when closed, 9.6mm versus Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm.
That extra millimeter matters. It accommodates the engineering required for a display that doesn’t develop a permanent crease over time, something that has frustrated even loyal foldable enthusiasts. When unfolded, the device thins to just 4.8mm (excluding the camera bump), making it even slimmer than the ultra-thin iPhone Air. The inner screen expands to 7.76 inches with a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution, essentially delivering an iPad mini’s worth of screen real estate that folds down to pocket size.
Form Factor That Actually Makes Sense
Imagine slipping this into your jeans pocket. At 83.8mm wide when folded, it’s designed to fit comfortably in side pockets, addressing another common complaint about today’s towering smartphone slabs. The wider stance makes it easier to grip horizontally, and when you need to quickly check notifications or respond to a message, the 5.5-inch outer display provides enough space for practical use without feeling cramped.
Unfold it, and you’re holding what feels like a miniature iPad. The 7.76-inch screen at that resolution means you’re getting proper split-screen multitasking, comfortable note-taking, and media consumption that doesn’t feel compromised. It’s the tablet experience we’ve wanted in a pocketable form factor, and Apple seems to have prioritized making that experience seamless rather than chasing arbitrary thinness metrics.
Build Quality and Camera Considerations
The mixed titanium and aluminum frame suggests Apple is serious about durability without sacrificing weight. Titanium provides the structural integrity needed for a folding mechanism that will withstand thousands of openings and closings, while aluminum helps keep the overall weight manageable. It’s a balancing act that speaks to Apple’s typical approach, using premium materials where they matter most.
Camera specs appear to follow Apple’s “quality over quantity” philosophy. The dual rear setup is said to be similar to what we’ll see in the iPhone 17, suggesting Apple isn’t compromising on imaging capabilities just because it’s a foldable. More interesting is the under-display selfie camera on the inner screen, which creates a truly uninterrupted viewing experience for video calls and content consumption. No notch, no punch-hole, just screen.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
When you compare Apple’s approach to Samsung’s latest foldables, the differences in philosophy become clear. Samsung has been chasing thinness, getting their Galaxy Z Fold 7 down to 4.2mm when open and 8.9mm when closed. Apple appears to be prioritizing display quality and durability instead, accepting slightly more thickness to deliver that crease-free experience and robust hinge mechanism.
The trade-off makes sense when you consider the target audience. Early foldable adopters have largely been tech enthusiasts willing to overlook imperfections for the novelty of the form factor. Apple seems to be targeting the mainstream, people who want the utility of a folding screen without the compromises that have kept foldables in niche territory.
The Reality of Getting One in Your Hands
Before you start saving your pennies for a September 2026 launch, it’s worth noting that production challenges could make Apple’s first foldable harder to find than expected. The complex engineering required for that crease-free display, combined with Apple’s typical quality standards, means initial production volumes might be limited. If these CAD leaks are accurate, we’re looking at a device that pushes display manufacturing technology forward, and that rarely comes easy or cheap in the early days.
A Foldable Worth Waiting For
What these leaks suggest is that Apple isn’t just entering the foldable market, they’re trying to redefine what a folding phone can be. By solving the crease problem, creating a form factor that actually works in pockets, and delivering what amounts to a pocketable iPad mini, they’re addressing the very concerns that have kept many consumers from adopting foldables.
The wider folded design makes practical sense. The crease-free display could finally make foldables feel like premium devices rather than tech experiments. And the September 2026 timeline gives Apple plenty of time to refine the manufacturing process before launch. If they can deliver on what these CAD files promise, Apple’s first foldable might not just be another folding phone, it could be the device that makes foldables mainstream.
For now, we watch and wait. But if you’ve been holding out on foldables because of the compromises, Apple’s approach might finally give you a reason to fold.
