Fresh leaks suggest Apple's first foldable iPhone could feature the largest battery in the company's history and potential design tweaks, including repositioned buttons. Reports also indicate work on a smaller clamshell version to follow, aiming to expand the foldable lineup if the initial model succeeds. These developments point to a possible launch in late 2026.
Rumors about Apple's entry into foldable smartphones continue to swirl, with details emerging from Chinese microblogging platform Weibo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. According to a report from 9to5Mac on Monday, Apple is testing a 5,500-mAh battery for the iPhone Fold, surpassing the expected 5,088-mAh cell in the iPhone 17 Pro Max and marking the biggest battery yet for any iPhone. This increase aligns with the power needs of a larger internal display in foldable designs, where battery life has been a common challenge for competitors.
Design changes are also in the spotlight. Leaks describe higher-profile volume buttons shifted toward the top of the device for better usability when unfolded, alongside updates to camera hardware, hinge, and chassis for improved ergonomics and durability. Gurman notes that Apple's first foldable will likely adopt a book-style form with a 5.5-inch display—smaller than Samsung's 6.5-inch equivalent—potentially launching in late 2026.
Adding to the speculation, Gurman reports Apple is developing a clamshell flip version, smaller and squarer than the book-style model. "Apple is betting that its first foldable iPhone will be successful enough to generate real demand for the category and that customers will want additional shapes and sizes," he wrote. This follows strong iPhone sales, with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max accounting for over half of December's units and record annual figures.
Tech enthusiast Austin Evans, with over 5.7 million YouTube subscribers, praised the flip form factor. "I've been a big fan of the flip form factor ever since Samsung first launched the Z Flip back in 2020," he said. "In many ways, to me it feels like the evolution of the 'normal' smartphone." Apple has not commented on these rumors, which have circulated for years amid competition from Samsung's Z Flip and Motorola's Razr.
