Is Apple ever going to release a foldable phone? There is nothing to suggest we’re getting closer to a release other than a few Apple iPhone Flip rumors that keep resurfacing every few weeks.
We’ve been able to confirm that the Apple iPhone SE 4 is set to arrive any day now and we also know that Apple is working on a handful of smart gadgets to elevate your homes. These updates are certainly exciting and give us enough to look forward to, but Apple loyalists who have held back from investing in a foldable from another brand are growing impatient.
In relation to the iPhone Flip, the latest news suggests that there is in fact a foldable phone in the works, but it has not reached a point where the company can satisfactorily move to its production and release. Early rumors of the Apple iPhone Flip suggested that a 2025 release could be possible, but from the information available, it is highly unlikely.
Image: iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone Flip Rumors—Is Apple Making a Foldable iPhone?
There has been no news from Apple on the foldable phone but leakers and tipsters have been able to gather that Apple is working on a folding device. A 2025 release appears to be highly unlikely as of now.
There have also been some rumors regarding the Apple iPhone Flip that suggest we aren’t getting a foldable phone at all but a more compact tablet or laptop in 2026 instead. This would give Apple some room to test its foldable tech in the tablet market, which is already crammed with good alternatives.
It can then bring the size down slowly for a foldable phone in 2027. The Information confirmed that the company has assigned the project a codename and is in the process of finalizing the designs for mass production.
Apple is undoubtedly working on the iPhone Flip’s features, capabilities, and design right now, but nothing appears to suggest a 2025 release. With such a lengthy timeline, there are chances that Apple will drop the project entirely and move to a more lucrative product release as it did with the Apple Car, so users should keep their expectations low as of now.
iPhone Fold Design Leaks
According to the iPhone Fold design leaks identified by Digital Chat Station and reported by Android Authority, the device could feature a book-fold type format instead of a clamshell fold form. The “large foldable” is expected to have a 5.49-inch outer screen and a 7.74-inch inner screen, which could make it a hair’s breadth smaller than some of the other foldables on the market.
Contrary to that update, the latest news on the iPhone Flip from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests the internal display will be an impressive 8 or 9 inches. This would make it almost the same size as the iPad mini and would align with the leaks suggesting a foldable tablet instead of a phone. For now, there is no way to confirm whether Apple is going big or keeping it small.
Apple is also working on bringing the skinny chic trend back with its rumored iPhone 17 Slim—also referred to as the iPhone 17 Air—but it is unlikely that this particular foldable will also be as thin considering the two screens it needs to accommodate. Oppo’s Find N5 is the slimmest foldable we’ve heard of, but it’s unlikely that Apple will try to break the record with its first attempt at a foldable.
If the iPhone design leaks are true, then we’re getting a Fold phone instead of a Flip phone, which does make sense considering those devices offer more screen real estate and are more convenient to use. These phones are also more expensive, promising a more lucrative deal for Apple.
Image: iPhone 16 Pro Max
What Are Some of the Design Possibilities Apple Is Exploring for the iPhone Flip?
Apple has a number of patents that can be linked to potential features and form factors for the Apple foldable phone. It isn’t easy to tell which ones will play a role in the final product because the various iterations could leave us with a Flip or a Fold, or both eventually. From the type of hinge mechanism to be used to the ability to magnetically join devices, Apple has multiple aspects being researched right now.
PatentlyApple was even able to find a patent that suggested the company had a clamshell fold that would leave a part of the screen exposed when folded in half. This would leave the area where we’re used to seeing the dynamic island visible for notifications. While this would be a risky design, it would set the brand leagues apart from current competitors. There is also a patent for a tri-fold phone, which we have only seen from Huawei so far. Samsung is also rumored to be working on its own version.
Analyst Kuo indicated that Apple may experiment with a color e-ink external display to manage battery drain and give users a different experience compared to what competitors are offering. This could be really interesting if true.
iPhone Flip Features and Facts—Has Anything Been Confirmed?
The Apple iPhone Flip rumors are just estimates from analysts and tipsters and none of the details have been confirmed yet. The titanium frame that Apple has prioritized with its recent launches is expected to be sufficient to provide some stability to the device’s frame, but the screen will be where the magic happens.
Apple is still exploring its options for display suppliers to build a long-lasting hinge screen that won’t give out to use too quickly, and while the e-ink display mentioned earlier is an interesting idea, we will most likely see a flexible OLED or microLED display internally. Some of the Apple iPhone Flip rumors we’ve seen suggest the company is partnering with Lens Technology to manufacture its ultra-thin glass. This material is what we’ve typically seen on foldable phone screens.
A dual-camera system can be expected on the Apple iPhone Flip and while the lenses are guaranteed to be good, it won’t outperform the Pro Max releasing the same year. Costs have to be cut somewhere to make the smartphone at least a tab bit reasonably priced.
Final Thoughts on the Apple Foldable Phone: Problems and Challenges Faced
Making and launching a new product is no easy task, particularly when the market already has enough brands doing the same things. Apple seems to be waiting to perfect its own iPhone Flip or Fold before its release, which is always a preferred strategy to rushing out an unfinished product.
The iPhone maker appears to be stuck with figuring out the crease-less display tech, which is something most smartphone makers continue to struggle with. These screens are also easily damaged and extremely expensive to repair. Trying to replace the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s inner screen can cost more than an iPhone 16, which makes it a very unreliable product to invest in. Dual-screen devices also drain the battery life quickly, but these phones cannot accommodate big batteries either.
Apple is currently invested in resolving these, and other, more pressing, challenges, however, the biggest issue with releasing a foldable phone is keeping the prices reasonable while also meeting user expectations of something “new” and durable. The company’s top competitors have had a few years to refine their products but Apple’s first release will be pitted directly against these versions before it has a chance to improve.
Which of the Apple iPhone Flip rumors reflect the product’s true nature and will we actually see an iPhone Flip release in the next two years? We remain cautiously optimistic.
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