Since their introduction into the mainstream back in 2019, foldable smartphones have rapidly matured in terms of fit, finish, and functionality. When comparing the newly-releasedSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 7to its first-generation predecessor, the original Z Fold, the difference is quite staggering. While price remainsa top-of-mind concern, and durability issues continue to persist, hardware makers have successfully solved engineering challenges surrounding weight and thickness, screen-to-body ratio, and hinge tactility.
With this relative product category maturation in mind, it’s only natural thatrumors are now swirlingabout the prospects of an Apple-made foldable iPhone. The jury is out on whether such a product might ultimately take the form of a book-style device or a clamshell flip phone, but a recent reportfrom Bloomberg’s Mark Gurmanpredicts the former (along with a 2026 release target).
Apple reportedly sparing no cost to perfect its foldable iPhone
Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone is rumored to be released in 2026, and a new report suggests a creaseless display is a top priority.
Much has been said regardingthe hardware side of the equation, and I have no doubt thatApple’sattention to detail and industrial design prowess will shine through in the end. That being said, I’m more curious as to how the company will approach software design when it comes to its foldables. Apple is an experience-focused company with a pedigree in the human-computer interaction (HCI) space, and it therefore has big shoes to fill.
I can’t shake off the feeling that we might be about to witness something more substantial – perhaps the birth of a dedicated foldOS.
I believe that foldables represent a unique opportunity for Apple. In my mind, I’m picturing a scene of Apple executives huddling around a tense boardroom, brainstorming ways in which to re-architectthe iPhone’suser interface to best suit the two-in-one form factor. The simple solution might be to graft a couple of tweaks onto the iOS operating system and to call it a day, but I can’t shake off the feeling that we might be about to witness something more substantial – perhaps the birth of a dedicated foldOS.
Apple’s foldable iPhone takes shape, and the M5 iPad Pro may get a surprise upgrade
Apple’s foldable iPhone could resemble the Fold 7, and the M5 iPad Pro may get a camera upgrade.
The precedent has been set
Apple has already bifurcated iOS, and the time has come for trifurcation
The idea of a foldable iPhone running a bespoke fork of iOS sounds superfluous at first, but hear me out. Apple has made this precise move already, back when it forked iOS into what we now call iPadOS. Sure, the technical underpinnings are nearly identical across both iOS and iPadOS, but the intent is clear: these are two distinct platforms with experiences catered towards the hardware they run on.
Now, I wouldn’t expect a first-generation foldOS 26 to upend the iOS paradigm in any meaningful way, but it opens the door for Apple to build out custom foldable iPhone experiences that typical candybar-style phones simply can’t replicate. It took several years for iPadOS to establish its own identity, andonly now are we bearing witness tothe likes of a full-blown window management system, a Menu Bar, and several other PC-like additions. The trajectory for foldOS, then, would likely follow a similar curve.
The folding iPhone could be the most expensive ever released
Apple is preparing to release its first foldable iPhone, possibly next year, but it won’t come cheap.
I have high hopes for foldOS
I hope Apple sprinkles in some of its vertical integration magic
In terms of what a theoretical foldOS might bring to the table, I’d imagine the initial priority would be on perfecting the transition between cover screen and inner display. Apple’s vertical integration across both hardware and software will surely make for a seamless folding and unfolding user experience, with slick animations and a UI that adapts across postures in a cohesive manner.
Beyond this, my personal hope is to see Apple draw inspiration from fellow tech giant Microsoft. Namely, I’d love for Apple to emulate the behavior of the ill-fated Microsoft Surface Duo line, complete withdual display panes for getting work donewithin segmented environments. This would be a software-based approach as opposed to the Duo’s hardware-based one, but the end result would still be functionally the same.
…the time is right for an all-new iPhone era to unfold.
Ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see what Apple is cooking behind closed doors. foldOS or not, it’s near certain thata folding iPhoneis just around the corner, and that the company will use the opportunity to flex its integrated hardware and software stack to the best of its ability. Folding Android phones have reached some semblance of maturity, and so the time is right for an all-new iPhone era to unfold – the Apple is in your court now, Cupertino.
Our folding phone-filled future is so close to reality, and yet so far away
Foldable phones have come a long way in a rather short period of time - we’re so close to foldable ubiquity, and yet so far away.
