If recent leaks prove true, the iPhone Fold will be markedly different from everything else in the foldable market today.

A folding iPhone turning point in 2026

According to multiple industry sources, Apple is almost certain to launch the iPhone Fold in 2026. This marks one of the brand’s most anticipated devices in the coming decade - Apple is famously patient with new trends, only entering once it can offer a uniquely Apple approach.

For the iPhone Fold, that approach appears to center on screen shape and aspect ratio.

Rather than following the typical book-style foldable format, Apple is reportedly exploring a design that borrows more from the iPad - a tablet-like display compressed into smartphone form.

According to The Information, the iPhone Fold’s internal screen may have a similar aspect ratio to that of large iPads. Once unfolded, the device would be “wider than it is tall,” in contrast to the mostly square designs seen in the current foldables from Samsung and Google.

Early reports suggest the outer display will measure around 5.3 inches, while the inner screen could span approximately 7.7 inches. While not enormous by foldable standards, the display’s width could significantly enhance the viewing experience.

Apple is also expected to keep things clean and minimal. Like the future iPhone 18 Pro, the Fold is rumored to have a single selfie camera, discreetly positioned in the top-left corner of the screen.

These specs largely align with leaks from noted insider Digital Chat Station, who estimated a 5.25-inch external screen and a 7.58-inch inner screen. Minor variances aside, there is growing consensus that Apple will opt for a wide internal display - setting it apart from the square-heavy competition.

This convergence of leaks suggests Apple may have already locked in its core design philosophy, even as final specifications remain in flux.

A whole new foldable?

As of now, the iPhone Fold is still under development, and nothing is set in stone.

Still, should Apple pursue this unusual screen ratio, it wouldn’t come as a surprise. In fact, Samsung is reportedly working on a wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 that has drawn comparisons to an iPad-like experience.

If Apple goes through with this format, the iPhone Fold could stand alone in the market. For comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 uses a 20:18 internal screen ratio, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s open screen is nearly square.

These square-ish layouts support productivity tasks like split-screen multitasking, but they’re far from ideal for media consumption - especially widescreen video.

A wider internal screen, as rumored for the iPhone Fold, would be a boon for watching YouTube, streaming movies, or other entertainment. Horizontal videos would fill more of the screen with less black space, making the experience more immersive - closer to what you’d get with an iPad mini.

All signs point to Apple aiming to position the iPhone Fold not just as a productivity device, but as a premium entertainment hub.

The rebirth of the iPhone mini?

Despite the innovation of the inner screen, the smaller external display may prove just as attractive to many users. At 5.3 inches, it could reintroduce the charm of compact smartphones - something the market has largely abandoned in recent years.

Even if slightly larger than the beloved iPhone mini, this new outer screen could appeal to those seeking a pocketable, one-hand-friendly device. In this way, the iPhone Fold may represent a spiritual reboot of the iPhone mini line - now reimagined as flexible, premium, and ultra-modern.

If Apple succeeds with the iPhone Fold, it won’t just enter the foldable race - it may rewrite the rules entirely.

Hai Phong