Development of Apple’s first book-style foldable iPhone is on track for a 2026 release, says a report from Chinese site UDN. The report claims the device has entered the engineering validation stage, and Apple is gearing up for mass production.
UDN says its sources tell it Apple has solved “the crease problem” that has been seen on competitors’ foldable phones. If that is true, the foldable iPhone would be the first crease-free foldable smartphone on the market.
Apple is reportedly using an inner screen designed and produced by Samsung. However, the panel structure, lamination method, and material process was designed by Apple. Apple cooperated with suppliers to create a hinge design that uses Liquid Metal components to prevent a permanent crease. The use of Liquid Metal allowed Apple to design an iPhone that has a durable hinge while retaining a slim design.
Apple is widely-expected to call the first foldable iPhone the “iPhone Fold.”
There have been rumors indicating that Apple could delay the release of the foldable iPhone beyond 2026. However, if Apple is truly in the engineering validation stage of iPhone development, a September 2026 launch timeline could still be feasible.
