The first folding iPhone may follow the design of the Galaxy Z Flip 6, but don’t expect it before 2026

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It seems likely that afoldable iPhone(or afoldable iPad) will make an appearance at some point, but when? A new report suggests that we’re going to have to wait until 2026 for such a device, and that when it does arrive it’ll be a clamshell foldable in the style of theSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.

This comes from sources speaking toThe Information(viaMacRumors), andAppleis apparently now in touch with its supply chain partners to see who might be able to provide the necessary folding screens for an ‘iPhone Flip’.

It’s not clear exactly why Apple would take this route instead of going for a book-style foldable like theSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, but it’s certainly the cheaper option. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 will set you back from $1,899 / £1,799 / AU$2,749, compared with $1,099.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,799 for the Z Flip 6.

The Information does note in its report that Apple’s plans are subject to change, and Apple would need to be happy with the quality of the device before launching it. However, the foldable has apparently now been given a codename within Apple – V68 – which is one of the key steps in the development of a product.

A long time coming

One of the rumors we’ve heard about the foldable iPhone is thatApple isn’t happywith the crease effect in the foldable screens of the devices rival companies have launched so far. While the tech is improving year on year, you can definitely still see the crease in the displays of current folding handsets.

There’salso been talkthat Apple could be working on self-healing folding screen technology, so any minor dents or scratches could repair themselves. However, this kind of display is likely to still be several years away.

Apple hasn’t yet confirmed that a folding iPhone is in the pipeline, but then it wouldn’t until the product was actually being unveiled. There’s no doubt that it’ll be exploring the idea of making such a device though – andleaks have suggestedthat Apple might be working on folding laptop screens as well.

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The Information also notes that standard iPhones take 24 months to develop from start to finish, and a foldable version could take longer – so we might be waiting until 2027 or beyond for the iPhone to take on a new form factor. Meanwhile, Android manufacturers continue to launch foldables at a steady clip, and you can find out what we make ofSamsung’s latest folding flagship in our in-depthSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review.

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Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

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