In the rapidly evolving smartphone market, one category has captured the imagination of consumers and the investment of manufacturers: the foldable. Companies like Samsung, Google, and Motorola have already released multiple generations of devices that bend and snap, yet one tech giant remains conspicuously absent from the race.
Where is Apple?
For years, rumors of a foldable iPhone have been the tech world’s most tantalizing “what if.” But as we move deeper into the decade, the question is no longer if Apple will release a foldable, but when—and perhaps more importantly, what form it will take. The speculation currently points in two distinct directions: the “iPhone Flip” and the “iPhone Fold.”
The ‘Flip’ vs. ‘Fold’ Debate
According to reports from prominent industry analysts and supply chain sources, Apple is not just exploring one idea; it is actively developing and testing prototypes for both major form factors.
The iPhone ‘Flip’: This design, mirroring Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, appears to be the frontrunner for the first foldable phone from Apple. It would be a standard-sized iPhone that folds in half (clamshell style) into a highly compact, pocketable square. The primary appeal isn’t a larger screen, but portability. This design seems to solve a modern problem: phones are getting bigger, but pockets are not.
The iPhone ‘Fold’: This book-style device, like the Google Pixel Fold, would open vertically to reveal a much larger, tablet-like display. While Apple is certainly testing this, many experts believe this form factor might not debut as an iPhone at all. Instead, Apple may be reserving this technology for a new category-bending product, perhaps a foldable iPad mini or a hybrid device that blurs the line between an iPad and a MacBook.
Why the Long Wait? Apple’s Quest for the ‘Crease’
Apple’s delay isn’t due to a lack of capability; it’s a strategic choice rooted in the company’s core philosophy: perfectionism. Apple is rarely first to a new market, but it often aims to be the best when it arrives.
The current generation of foldables, while impressive, still has compromises. The most notable is the display crease—the visible and tangible indentation where the screen bends. Sources suggest Apple is unwilling to ship a premium product with such a flaw.
Apple’s numerous patents in this area reveal a focus on creating complex, durable hinge mechanisms that allow the screen to bend without a sharp fold, minimizing the crease. Furthermore, Apple is reportedly waiting for display technology (like ultra-thin, self-healing glass) to mature to a point where it meets their rigorous standards for durability.
Release Date and Final Thoughts
So, when can you actually buy one? Do not expect it this year.
While early rumors hinted at 2025, the timeline has reportedly been pushed back. Top analysts, including Ming-Chi Kuo, now suggest a launch in 2026 or even 2027 is more realistic. Apple is taking its time to get the hardware, the software (a specialized version of iOS), and the all-important “feel” of the device exactly right.
When Apple finally does enter the foldable market, it is expected to redefine it. They aren’t just building a foldable iPhone; they are waiting until they can build the Apple of foldables.
