Photo credit: WccfTech
Apple has been working for years to create their first foldable phone, a book-style device that is set to be released in mid-2026. New information has emerged about a smaller version on the way, a clamshell device that folds vertically, forms a square shape, and, if rumors are to be believed, may simply be dubbed the “iPhone Flip.”
Mark Gurman provided the details in his current Power On newsletter for Bloomberg. Apple’s developers appear to be considering this clamshell form as a potential follow-up to the large folding one. The clamshell shape is clearly inspired by phones such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola RAZR, which pioneered the flip design. When closed, it’s small enough to fit neatly into a pocket or purse, but when opened, it’s a full-sized screen for getting on with your day.
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Still a concept, and very much in its early phases at Apple’s labs. There is no set release date in sight, and who knows, the whole idea could be scrapped entirely. Gurman says the company sees its larger foldable as the crucial test. Success with that one (which is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 in September 2026) would ideally increase excitement for the entire foldable concept, as consumers begin to look for alternative sizes and designs.
The book-style iPhone Fold is all about getting that larger screen experience, as it unfolds to a good 7.7 or 7.8 inches for games, movies, and various tasks on one screen, along with a smaller exterior display for notifications when closed. We’ve heard that it will have a nearly imperceptible crease, an under-display camera, and a side-mounted Touch ID button. They hope to address some of the most common foldable issues, including as durability and that awful middle crease.
Apple apparently experimented with clamshell prototypes in 2024 but ultimately decided on the book form for their first release, but they are now revisiting the clamshell concept, and it appears that they are sure that foldable technology has advanced enough to justify it. If the large model proves successful, a smaller version might appear a few years later, possibly as early as 2028, according to previous predictions.
[Source]
