Apple's foldable iPhone just tipped to launch in 2026 — but there's two big obstacles

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It sounds like Apple has settled on a foldable design

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(Image credit: Shutterstock)

The iPhone Flip continues to be the rumored Apple device that just won't go away. And now new details have emerged about work moving forward on the foldable device.

Specifically, The Information reports that a foldable iPhone is now out of the conceptual stage and assigned a code name — a strong sign that the iPhone Flip could actually be in development. If that's the case, it could mean a release date as soon as 2026 — phones typically take a couple years to move through the production phase — though other reports suggest a foldable iPhone wouldn't be ready until 2027.

The Information reports the iPhone Flip would be a clamshell device, similar to the recently released Samsung Z Flip 6 or the Motorola Razr Plus (2024). Reportedly, Apple had tested out another design where the foldable would open and close like a book, but the clamshell option apparently won out.

In recent months Apple has received or introduced a number of patents that indicate the company is thinking about a foldable device, whether it's an iPhone, MacBook or a hybrid tablet/iPhone. Apple is also rumored to be working with Samsung on foldable displays.

iPhone Flip foldable iPhone

(Image credit: #iOS Beta News/YouTube)

The Information report reiterates rumors we've heard that Apple is struggling with the iPhone Flip because of the crease in the display that is result of the folding. So far, no one has totally figured out a solution — more recent foldable devices have reduced the size of the crease, but it's still noticeably there on current models. Considering the weight Apple puts on aesthetics, we aren't surprised that this is a sticking point for them.

Allegedly, Apple has mandated that a folding iPhone be half as thick as an iPhone when opened so that it wouldn't be too thick when closed. That's been a focus of the company's as  of late, as seen with the release of the iPad Pro M4 and rumors about the iPhone 17 introducing a slimmer design in 2025.

We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone since at least 2016. It now sounds like we've got a couple more years of waiting ahead of us.

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.