Latest iPhone Rumours: iPhone Fold Leaks Point to Ultra-Thin Design and 7.8-Inch Inner Screen

Apple is poised to enter the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Fold, featuring an ultra-thin design and an approximately 7.8-inch inner display, according to recent leaks. As of 9 February 2026, rumours point to a launch later this year, promising a crease-free display and enhanced battery life.

This development comes as competitors like Samsung and Google continue to refine their foldable offerings, but Apple's entry could shift the landscape.

Design Innovations in the iPhone Fold

Apple's anticipated entry into the foldable arena with the iPhone Fold arrives at a time when the category remains niche yet growing, dominated by Samsung's long-running Galaxy Z series and Google's more recent Pixel Fold efforts. Leaks suggest Apple has prioritised refinements that address persistent user gripes, particularly around display durability and everyday practicality.

Leaked details reveal the volume buttons are not on the left side, placed directly on the top of the right-side frame, similar to the iPad mini, optimising space. The rear dual camera + right-side microphone + flash are arranged horizontally, featuring a plateau that is completely black and does not match body color.

A smaller Dynamic Island is anticipated, thanks to a single punch-hole front camera. The hinge, combining stainless steel and titanium alloy, ensures durability and a virtually crease-free experience.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared on X about foldable iPhone hinge: key updates, noting supplier shifts favor Foxconn. Leaks suggest only white is confirmed so far, with another colour likely.

Battery and Performance Expectations

The iPhone Fold is rumoured to house the biggest battery ever used in an iPhone, with a 5,500-mAh capacity, using the same high-density battery cells as the ultra-thin iPhone 17. This supports the demanding dual displays and could offer superior endurance compared to rivals like the Galaxy Z Fold's 4,400mAh.

Performance-wise, it may feature the A20 chip and 12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking. Security could see Touch ID return as a side button, potentially due to space constraints for Face ID.

'Leveraging the iPhone's status as a must-have device and Apple's loyal fanbase, it's expected to generate strong replacement demand—despite the premium price—provided quality meets expectations,' said analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Pricing and Market Impact

Pricing is projected at £1,469 to £1,836 (approximately $2,000 to $2,500), positioning it as Apple's most expensive iPhone. Despite the high cost, analysts predict it will capture significant market share, with shipments of 3–5 million units in 2026.

IDC forecasts Apple would siphon one-third of the spending in the foldable market in 2026, with an average price point of £1,763 (around $2400). Development is advancing, with final specifications to be locked in during 2Q25 and mass production slated for 4Q26. Suppliers like Samsung Display are providing advanced OLED panels, potentially more advanced than those in the Galaxy Fold.

While hardly a surprise given years of speculation, the iPhone Fold's entry could accelerate foldable adoption worldwide. Market observers anticipate this debut will invigorate the segment, drawing in Apple's ecosystem loyalists who have waited for a foldable that feels unmistakably iPhone-like in polish and integration. With shipments forecast in the low millions for the first year, ramping significantly thereafter, success hinges on execution rather than sheer novelty.