Just when it seemed like foldable phones were yesterday’s news, after AI usurped them as the current must-have, Apple may make them cool again — with a foldable iPhone reportedly landing in 2026. The tech giant has reportedly worked on folding devices since as far back as 2018. However, the jury is split on what such a gadget will look like. Reports have mentioned a foldable iPad and a clamshell-style iPhone akin to Samsung’s Galaxy Flip range.
Considering Apple is also reportedly planning to launch a super-slim iPhone 17 Air later this year, that’s three fresh designs the company appears to have in the works. Who said smartphone innovation was dead?. The foldable iPhone would emulate Apple’s rivals including Samsung, Motorola, and Oppo, which have embraced bendy phones with varying success.
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However, Apple may take a more refined approach, with reports suggesting it aims to create a sleek, ultra-slim device as thin as current iPhones when closed. Apple is also said to be working on reducing the infamous crease that often mars the display of foldable phones. It has hinted that it could release a more durable device that you can hold on to for longer.
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Apple could consider a more futuristic design alongside foldables: rollable phones. This approach sees the screen roll up like a scroll, expanding or retracting as needed. Of course, filing a patent doesn’t guarantee a product will follow. Given Apple’s history of waiting for technology to mature, a rollable iPhone might still be far off.
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