Apple’s iPhone Fold set to launch this September with major design changes

Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone in September 2026, marking the company's entry into a market already dominated by Samsung and other manufacturers. The device, known as the iPhone Fold, will arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max and represents a significant departure from Apple's traditional phone design philosophy.

According to multiple analyst reports and design leaks, the iPhone Fold will feature a 7.8-inch display when fully opened and a 5.3-inch cover screen when folded. The phone will use Apple's A20 processor, the same chip powering the iPhone 18 Pro models, along with 12GB of RAM and Apple's C2 modem.

Background

Apple has long resisted jumping into the foldable market, even as Samsung established itself as the category leader with its Galaxy Z Fold series. The decision to finally build a foldable phone comes after years of research and refinement. Industry analysts have been predicting an Apple foldable device for several years, but the company waited until it could deliver a product that met its standards.

The foldable phone market has grown steadily, with Samsung releasing new models regularly and other manufacturers entering the space. Apple's entry signals that the technology has matured enough for the company to commit resources to the category. The timing also aligns with the company's broader strategy of expanding its iPhone lineup with different form factors.

Key Details

Display and Design

The iPhone Fold will feature what Apple is calling a "crease-free" inner display of 7.8 inches, making it significantly larger than the cover screen. The outer display measures 5.3 inches, smaller than some competing foldables but designed to be more compact when the phone is folded.

The device's design includes several unusual choices for Apple. The volume buttons have been moved to the top-right edge of the phone, similar to the placement on iPad mini models. This represents a dramatic shift from every other iPhone, where volume controls sit on the left side. The power button, which integrates Touch ID, remains on the right side along with a new camera control button.

"The motherboard is on the right side, and they didn't want to run wires across the screen to the left side for the buttons, so the left side is completely free of physical buttons." — Design specifications from analyst reports

The left side of the device is completely smooth with no buttons. This design choice allows Apple to maximize internal space and battery capacity. The phone will be built from titanium and aluminum, giving it a premium feel similar to the iPhone Air.

Cameras and Authentication

The iPhone Fold will feature dual 48-megapixel rear cameras arranged horizontally on the right side of the device. A single 18-megapixel front-facing camera will use a hole-punch design rather than the Dynamic Island cutout seen on other recent iPhones.

Notably, the iPhone Fold will not include Face ID. Instead, it will rely exclusively on Touch ID, integrated into the power button. This decision reflects the practical challenges of using face recognition on a foldable device that can be opened and closed.

Battery and Colors

The internal redesign to accommodate the moved volume buttons has allowed Apple to fit its largest battery ever into an iPhone. While exact capacity has not been officially confirmed, reports suggest the battery will reach between 5,300 and 5,500 milliamp-hours, significantly larger than typical iPhone batteries.

Apple plans to offer the iPhone Fold in limited color options at launch. White is the only confirmed color, with one additional option expected to be available. The camera module will reportedly feature a completely black base that does not match the body color, a visual distinction from other iPhone models.

What This Means

The iPhone Fold's arrival reshapes Apple's product strategy and forces users to rethink how they interact with iPhones. The moved volume buttons will require adjustment for longtime users, though Apple's reasoning is sound from an engineering perspective. The decision to use Touch ID instead of Face ID may disappoint some users but reflects practical design constraints.

The device's large battery capacity addresses one of the most common complaints about iPhones. By redesigning the internal layout to fit more battery cells, Apple is prioritizing battery life in a way it has not done before.

The foldable market remains niche compared to traditional smartphones, but Apple's entry could shift consumer perception. The company's design refinements and engineering approach may set new standards for how foldable phones should work. Samsung will face direct competition from a company known for establishing category benchmarks.

Pricing for the iPhone Fold has not been announced, but foldable phones typically command significant premiums over standard models. The device's premium materials and advanced engineering suggest it will be one of Apple's most expensive phones ever.

The September launch gives Apple several months to finalize production and prepare marketing materials. Whether the iPhone Fold becomes a mainstream device or remains a niche product for early adopters will depend on pricing, real-world performance, and consumer appetite for the foldable form factor.