Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed more details about the upcoming foldable iPhone in his country Authority on the newsletter today.
He says the foldable iPhone will open like a book to reveal a larger internal screen, like many foldable Android devices. The foldable iPhone will have four cameras, one on the front screen, one on the inside, and two on the back. It will also use Touch ID for biometrics and will use Apple’s internal cellular modem for communication.
Supports the inclusion of four cameras in a multi-functional form factor. The foldable iPhone can be used like a regular iPhone when closed, with the touchscreen facing outward in the 5-6 inch range.
This will have an accompanying front camera. A high-resolution main rear camera can be used to capture the best photos.
The second rear camera will be for ultra-wide or telephoto shots. It’s unclear which one now.
When it opens to reveal the large 8-inch internal screen, the fifth camera lens acts as an active selfie camera.
Using Touch ID on the flagship iPhone may seem strange at first, since all other iPhones have moved to Face ID. However, the foldable device has strict requirements for thinness, so the device is not too bulky when closed. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the device will measure about 9.5mm when closed, so the thickness of each half is less than 5mm, which is thinner than any previous iPhone to date.
The complex TrueDepth camera system required for Face ID simply wouldn’t fit into such a thin case. As such, Apple will use the Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the side button instead for easier authentication and unlocking of the device.
The Apple C1 modem debuted in the iPhone 16e. This chip will also appear in the slim iPhone 17 Air model. Next year, Apple will launch the next generation C2 modem, which supports higher speeds. The C2 modem is what will be included in Apple’s foldable device. The 2025 iPhone 17 Air and 2026 foldable iPhone will also lack a SIM card slot on all models; Current iPhones have SIM card slots in regions outside the United States
As Apple’s first foldable device, it will undoubtedly be a popular model. However, the extent of popularity depends on the price. Even high-end foldable Android phones cost upwards of $1,800, and you certainly shouldn’t expect an Apple entrant to be cheaper than that.
According to Gurman, Apple will only offer black or white color options at its first foldable launch. Suppliers will begin ramping up production early next year for a fall consumer release.
So, that’s what’s coming in 2026. The following year, Apple will redesign the standard pro iPhone with a completely new all-glass design.
But for this year, expect a more muted affair. The iPhone 17 lineup will look almost identical to the current iPhone 16 models from the front. On the back, there is a new rectangular design for the prominent camera module. The iPhone 17 Air is a new addition to the line that will be strikingly thin.
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