Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone in fall 2026, and new leaks suggest the device will feature a 7.8-inch inner display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, mimicking the design of the iPad. The move indicates Apple is aligning the iPhone Fold with its tablet ecosystem, aiming to deliver a hybrid experience that blends smartphone portability with iPad-level productivity.
Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, posting on Weibo, claimed Friday that the inner display of the iPhone Fold will adopt a "roughly" 4:3 aspect ratio. This proportion has been a staple in Apple's iPad lineup, favored for its balance in both portrait and landscape orientation and its compatibility with multitasking features such as split-screen usage.
"The iPhone Fold's large display will reportedly be very iPad-like in its aspect ratio, 'almost 4:3,'" the leaker stated.
Apple has not confirmed any details about its foldable phone, but multiple sources, including longtime Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, have corroborated key features. Kuo reports that the foldable device will include a 7.8-inch crease-free display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch outer screen, which is smaller than current iPhones but larger than earlier generations.
Kuo also notes that the device will not include Face ID, opting instead for a Touch ID sensor embedded in the side button. The decision is believed to be related to conserving internal space within the complex folding form factor.
The iPhone Fold is expected to feature a titanium alloy casing, a metallic glass hinge, and a dual-lens rear camera system. A front-facing camera will be included for both folded and unfolded states, enabling video calls and selfies in all configurations.
According to Kuo, the iPhone Fold will be positioned as a "true AI-driven phone," with the larger screen enabling advanced multitasking and AI-enhanced user experiences. Apple has not disclosed what AI features might debut with the device, but the company has signaled increased investment in artificial intelligence development in recent years.
Pricing for the device is expected to fall between $2,000 and $2,500, making it one of the most expensive consumer phones Apple has ever produced. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple may be targeting a 2026 release window, aligning with ongoing developments in the foldable device market and Apple's strategy to differentiate its flagship offerings.
The outer 5.5-inch screen, combined with a near-iPad mini-sized inner display, positions the device as a dual-function product, capable of serving as a daily-use iPhone when closed and a compact iPad substitute when open.
