Apple’s long-rumoured iPhone fold is edging closer to reality after years of behind-the-scenes development. With fresh speculation intensifying, there are now reports that it may launch alongside the iPhone 18 series in fall 2026. Current rumours suggest the company is preparing the most radical hardware shift yet. According to a recent JP Morgan equity research note, Apple is said to introduce three major upgrades with its first foldable: an under-display inner camera, a crease-free main screen, and the largest battery ever seen in an iPhone. While Apple has remained silent on the project, industry analysts anticipate a book-style design and predict it may become the most premium iPhone ever released by the company.
A new research note from JP Morgan suggests that Apple may use a 24MP camera under the inner display. This would be a first for the industry because most current foldable phones use low-resolution under-screen cameras. If accurate, Apple seems to have worked on improving how much light passes through the screen, which could lead to clearer photos and videos from this hidden camera.
Reports from China claim that Apple has focused on the hinge and screen design to remove the crease that appears on most foldable phones. Industry sources say that the company has tested several prototypes to solve this long-standing issue. If the final product does remove the crease, it could give Apple a clear advantage over Android foldables that still show a visible line where the screen bends.
Well-known analyst Ming Chi Kuo has said that Apple may use high-density battery cells in the foldable iPhone. Several leaks from Korea and China also point to Apple testing batteries larger than 5,000 mAh. If the final capacity crosses this figure, it will become the largest battery ever used in an iPhone. This could help the device offer long usage despite having a large inner display.
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The foldable iPhone is said to feature a 7.8-inch main display when opened and a 5.5-inch cover screen for regular use. Reports also suggest the presence of Touch ID, a hole-punch front camera and a dual 48MP rear camera setup.
Industry experts say that the iPhone Fold could become Apple’s most expensive smartphone ever. Early predictions peg it at a U.S. price of about $2,400, well above even the current iPhone Pro lineup. In India, the device may be priced near Rs 2,15,000. The premium cost is mainly because of its big foldable display, complex folding technology, and high-end camera system Apple is reportedly using.
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Most foldable rumours point to the September 2026 launch of the iPhone Fold, presumably as part of the same event that introduces the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. That is consistent with Apple’s general release cadence, which usually happens during the second week of September. If things play out that way, the iPhone Fold will be joining a market that has grown quite crowded yet is still waiting for Apple’s first take on the category to set a higher bar.