iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air have just arrived. But next year, Apple has a very exciting new model coming: its first ever foldable iPhone. Here are five new features rumored for Apple’s ‘iPhone Fold.’
7.8-inch inner display, 5.5-inch outer display
Current iPhones all live in the 6-inch screen territory, ranging from the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 to the 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Apple’s new iPhone Fold will, in a single device, offer both smaller and larger displays than what you can get right now.
Rumored display sizes are:
- ~7.8-inch inner display
- ~5.5-inch outer display
What will these screens feel like in practice? It’s not too hard to imagine.
The inner display will be very close to the 7.9-inch size that iPad mini offered before its bezel-thinning redesign in recent years. And the outer display will perfect for iPhone mini fans, as that discontinued model had a 5.4-inch screen.
Crease-free ‘book fold’ design
Foldable smartphones are nothing new. But until recently, one of the biggest drawbacks per reviewers has been the noticeable crease in folding displays.
Rumors indicate, however, that Apple has created a “crease-free” inner display.
Eliminating the crease from the iPhone Fold is just one key aspect of the new ‘book fold’ design. Another important one is thickness.
Ming Chi Kuo reports that the iPhone Fold “will measure 9–9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5–4.8mm when unfolded.” When unfolded, that’s much thinner even than the brand new iPhone Air.
Four cameras total
Cameras are one of the most important iPhone features. Reports indicate the iPhone Fold will include four cameras total:
- 2 rear cameras
- 1 front camera when folded
- 1 front camera when unfolded
The two rear cameras are both said to be 48MP, but it’s unclear whether the second lens will be Ultra Wide or Telephoto.
Apple’s new Center Stage front camera on iPhone 17 will likely be used by the iPhone Fold too—possibly with a hole-punch design, or maybe even with no cutout at all.
Touch ID instead of Face ID
Apple’s flagship iPhones have long included Face ID, dating back to the iPhone X almost a decade ago.
Even though the iPhone Fold is expected to have an ultra-premium price, it’s rumored to use Touch ID for authentication. Likely Touch ID will be built into the side button, as on the iPad Air.
Apple might simply be trying to avoid including two sets of Face ID components—one for the outer display, another for the inner. Cost could be a factor, but more likely space constraints are the primary issue.
Titanium design
Apple just dropped titanium from its iPhone 17 Pro line, while retaining it in the iPhone Air only.
Next year, however, reporting indicates the iPhone Fold will incorporate titanium in several aspects of its design, including the hinge and casing.
It truly does sound like the new foldable will be a lot like two iPhone Airs side by side—but even thinner.
iPhone Fold features: wrap-up
Many analysts are looking to Apple’s new iPhone Fold to spark more mass-market success for foldable devices overall. We’re still a year from seeing how the market responds, but the first iPhone Fold does appear set to offer some compelling hardware.
Perhaps the bigger question is: what’s the software story? Will new windowing or multitasking features in iOS make the large inner display worthwhile? One of Apple’s core strengths is building its hardware and software to complement each other, so I’m excited to see what the iPhone Fold brings on that front.
Are you interested in buying an iPhone Fold? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
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