For years, the tech world has buzzed with a single, persistent question: When is Apple going to release an iPhone flip phone? While competitors like Samsung and Motorola have already established themselves in the foldable market with the Galaxy Z Flip and Razr series, Apple has remained uncharacteristically quiet. However, as of late 2025, the “iPhone Flip” (or iPhone Fold) is no longer just a fever dream of concept artists. Recent supply chain leaks and patent filings suggest that Apple is finally preparing to redefine the foldable category.1
The Strategy Behind the Delay: Why Now?
Apple is rarely the first to a new product category, but they often aim to be the best. The delay in the iPhone flip phone launch is largely attributed to Apple’s obsession with durability and aesthetics.2
Industry reports indicate that Apple engineers have spent years perfecting a “near-zero-angle” hinge.3 One of the biggest criticisms of current foldables is the visible “crease” in the middle of the screen.4 Apple’s goal is reportedly a creaseless display that looks and feels like a single solid piece of glass when unfolded. Furthermore, patents reveal that Apple is working on advanced materials like LiquidMetal and “self-healing” screen coatings that can automatically fill in small scratches or dents.5+2
Design and Aesthetics: Clamshell vs. Book-Style
There are two primary rumors regarding the form factor of Apple’s first foldable:
- The Clamshell (iPhone Flip): A compact design that folds vertically, similar to the iconic flip phones of the early 2000s.6 This model would focus on portability and a “fashion-forward” appeal.
- The Book-Style (iPhone Fold): A device that opens horizontally to reveal a tablet-sized screen (roughly 7.8 to 8.3 inches), essentially acting as a hybrid between an iPhone and an iPad Mini.7
Current 2025 leaks suggest Apple may actually be developing both, with a 7.7-inch book-style foldable expected to debut first, possibly alongside the iPhone 18 series in late 2026.
Expected Features and Specifications
If the rumors hold true, the iPhone Flip will be a powerhouse of technology. Here is what we expect based on current industry data:
| Feature | Expected Specification |
| Main Display | 7.8 to 8.3-inch LTPO OLED (120Hz ProMotion) |
| Outer Display | 6.5-inch Cover Screen for quick notifications |
| Processor | A20 Pro Bionic (2nm architecture) |
| Camera | 48MP Triple-lens system with Periscope Telephoto |
| Biometrics | Under-display Face ID or Touch ID in the power button |
| Build Material | Titanium frame with IPX8 water resistance |
Innovative Patents: The “Self-Retracting” Screen
One of the most fascinating pieces of information comes from a 2023 patent titled “Self-Retracting Display Device.” This technology would allow the iPhone flip phone to detect a fall using internal accelerometers.8 If the phone senses it has been dropped, the hinge would automatically trigger a partial close to protect the fragile inner display from a direct impact.9+1
Additionally, Apple is exploring heated display technology.10 Foldable screens are notoriously sensitive to cold weather, which can make the plastic-glass hybrid brittle. Apple’s solution involves a transparent conductive layer that warms the fold area, ensuring the screen remains flexible even in freezing temperatures.
The Price Tag: A Premium Halo Device
Innovation at this level does not come cheap. While a standard iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at around $1,199, the iPhone Flip is expected to occupy a “Ultra-Premium” tier.11 Analysts predict a starting price between $2,000 and $2,400.
This positioning would make it a “Halo” product—a device intended to showcase Apple’s peak engineering rather than a mass-market replacement for the standard iPhone. For productivity-focused users, the high price might be justified by the ability to carry a “mini iPad” in their pocket, potentially running a specialized version of iOS/iPadOS with advanced multitasking features like floating windows and “Tent Mode” for video calls.12
Release Date: Mark Your Calendars
While many hoped for a 2025 launch, the latest supply chain signals from Foxconn and Samsung Display point to a September 2026 announcement.13 This timeline aligns with the production of the A20 chipset and the perfection of the new hinge system.
Conclusion: Is It Worth the Wait?
The iPhone flip phone represents the most significant design shift in the iPhone’s history since the removal of the Home button. By waiting for the technology to mature, Apple is betting that consumers will prefer a perfected, durable foldable over the experimental models currently on the market.
If you are a tech enthusiast or a power user who finds the current iPhone screen too small for multitasking but an iPad too bulky to carry, the iPhone Fold could be the “one device to rule them all.”
Leave a Reply