Imagine slipping a device into your pocket that unfolds to reveal a screen nearly matching your iPad mini. That’s the promise emerging from newly leaked CAD renders of Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone, codenamed V68. These detailed blueprints, sourced from iPhone-Ticker.de, paint a picture of a device that doesn’t just fold, but transforms your pocket into a portal for a genuinely useful tablet experience. Set for a potential September 2026 debut, this leak suggests Apple has spent its years of silence studying the foldable market, learning from early adopters’ pain points, and engineering a solution that prioritizes the user experience above all else.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Display Size | 5.5 | inch | 83.8mm x 120.6mm when folded |
| Inner Display Size | 7.76 | inch | 167.6mm x 120.6mm when unfolded |
| Inner Display Resolution | 2,713 x 1,920 | pixels | Near iPad mini dimensions |
| Thickness (Folded) | 9.6 | mm | Includes camera bump |
| Thickness (Unfolded) | 4.8 | mm | Excluding camera bump |
| Frame Material | Titanium & Aluminum | — | Mixed construction for durability |
| Rear Camera System | Dual | — | Similar to iPhone 17 setup |
| Front Camera | Under-Display | — | No visible notch or punch-hole |
| Expected Launch | September 2026 | — | Based on current leak timeline |
The Pocketable Tablet Dream
The most immediate takeaway from these CAD files is how Apple has rethought the folded form factor. While current foldables often feel like tall, narrow slabs when closed, Apple’s approach creates a wider, squarer profile measuring 83.8mm across and 120.6mm tall. This isn’t just a design quirk, it’s a deliberate ergonomic choice. That wider stance makes the device easier to grip horizontally, and it actually fits better in side pockets than today’s towering smartphones. When you pull it out, it feels less like a traditional phone and more like a mini tablet folded in half, which is exactly the experience Apple seems to be targeting.
Unfold it, and the transformation is striking. The inner screen expands to 167.6mm by 120.6mm, delivering a 7.76-inch canvas with a sharp 2,713 by 1,920 resolution. For context, that’s remarkably close to the screen real estate of an iPad mini. Picture using split-screen apps for research while taking notes, or sketching ideas with Apple Pencil support (though that’s still speculative). At just 4.8mm thin when open, excluding the camera module, it’s even slimmer than the ultra-slim iPhone Air, creating an impressively flat and lightweight tablet experience that disappears in your bag until you need it.
Engineering the Invisible Crease
Here’s where Apple’s notorious patience pays off. While competitors have raced to make the thinnest foldables, these renders suggest Apple prioritized solving the crease problem first. The device measures 9.6mm thick when folded, slightly more than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 8.9mm closed. That extra millimeter isn’t a design flaw, it’s engineering headroom. According to the leak, Apple is using laser-drilled microstructures in the display assembly, a technical approach Samsung reportedly couldn’t perfect, to achieve what might be the industry’s first truly crease-free folding screen.
This focus on quality over thinness extends to the build. The frame uses a mixed titanium and aluminum construction, a combination we’ve seen Apple master in recent Pro iPhones. Titanium provides that premium, durable feel and structural rigidity around the hinge, while aluminum likely keeps weight in check. It’s the kind of material science that makes a device feel substantial without being burdensome, something you’ll appreciate during long reading or video sessions. As detailed in our previous coverage of Apple’s crease-free ambitions, this engineering-first approach could redefine what users expect from foldable displays.
Cameras and Daily Usability
Apple appears to be taking a conservative but smart approach to cameras. The renders show a dual rear setup that mirrors what we expect from the iPhone 17, prioritizing sensor quality and computational photography over adding extra lenses just for the spec sheet. The real magic, however, is on the inside. The inner screen features an under-display selfie camera with no visible notch or punch-hole. This creates a completely uninterrupted viewing surface for watching movies, video calls, or browsing the web. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in immersion.
Think about your daily flow. You check notifications on the outer screen while walking, then unfold it on the train to catch up on news or emails with that expansive display. During meetings, you might take notes on one side while referencing documents on the other. The wider folded form actually makes one-handed texting more comfortable than on today’s narrow outer displays. It’s these practical, human-centered details that suggest Apple watched how people actually use (and struggle with) existing foldables before designing their own.
The Competitive Landscape and What It Means for You
How does this stack up against the current king of the hill? Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series has defined the large-screen foldable category for years. The latest Galaxy Z Flip 8 rumors point to Samsung continuing to refine its formula with ever-thinner designs. Apple’s leaked device is slightly thicker both folded (9.6mm vs 8.9mm) and unfolded (4.8mm vs 4.2mm) than the current Fold 7. But that trade-off appears intentional, sacrificing absolute thinness for a crease-free screen and potentially more robust hinge mechanics.
This philosophical difference is telling. Samsung has iterated rapidly, pushing the boundaries of thinness each generation. Apple, entering the market later, seems focused on solving the fundamental usability issues first. The question becomes: would you prefer the absolute slimmest device, or one that offers a seamless, uninterrupted screen? For many productivity users and media consumers, that invisible crease might be worth the extra millimeter.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
If the September 2026 timeline holds, we’re still about two years away from seeing this device on shelves. That’s both exciting and a test of patience. In the tech world, two years is an eternity, and these renders represent Apple’s engineering targets today, not final consumer hardware. Components can change, designs get refined, and supply chain realities often reshape launch plans.
Speaking of supply chains, anyone hoping to get their hands on Apple’s first foldable should prepare for potential scarcity. As we’ve seen with reports of major supply constraints, manufacturing these complex hinge mechanisms and novel displays at scale presents enormous challenges. The laser-drilled microstructure technology alone could be a production bottleneck. Early adopters might face waiting lists and premium pricing, at least initially.
What’s clear from these leaks is that Apple isn’t just making another foldable phone. They’re attempting to create a new category that bridges the gap between pocketable convenience and tablet productivity. By starting with an iPad mini-sized canvas as their target, they’re aiming for genuine utility, not just novelty. The wider folded form, crease-free display, and thoughtful material choices suggest a device designed for how people actually live and work, not just for spec sheet comparisons.
For now, we watch and wait. But if these CAD renders translate to real hardware, Apple’s late entry to the foldable market might just be worth the wait. They’ve observed the early experiments, learned from the stumbles, and appear ready to deliver a refined take on the pocketable tablet concept that could finally make foldables feel essential rather than experimental.
