As other companies unveil generations upon generations of foldable smartphones, a foldable iPhone remains noticeably absent, with Apple seeking to perfect the device’s design before releasing it to the public. It has been said that 2026 is likely the earliest we’ll be seeing the so-called iPhone Fold, and it seems the brand is on track to meeting that deadline, according to a report by Digitimes.
Physical work on a new Apple product typically begins with an array of mockups that eventually get turned into dummy models that reflect the look, feel, and weight of the device. Of course, prototype hardware gets tested separately. After that is the Prototype 1 (P1) phase, which is the realistic prototyping stage, during which the bitten fruit company produces fully-functional units for testing.
According to the report, the foldable iPhone reached this stage last month, which means that prototype testing for the phone could be completed by the end of this year. Of course, this is assuming that everything stays on track. It is also worth noting that the P1 stage is still a very early stage, and there are two more prototype phases.
After that, the device will proceed to the Engineering Verification Test (EVT) stage. This stage is intended to confirm whether the design is practical for manufacturing. Again, provided that everything proceeds smoothly, the first foldable iPhone could make its debut in the second half of 2026.
For now, Apple has yet to finalise the specifications for the device, but the rumoured features include a titanium body, a 7.58-inch screen, and dual 48MP rear cameras. And of course, there’s word that the company has succeeded in making a screen with a “nearly invisible” crease when unfolded. Another feature the brand is aiming for is a higher quality hinge compared to its Android rivals. Obviously, it’s still too early to tell whether any of these things will pan out, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
