Apple’s Foldable Display Sizes Leaked Once Again; Launching in 2026

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TL; DR
  • A new leak from TrendForce backs the same 7.8-inch + 5.5-inch display sizes previously shared by Kuo.
  • With two sources now aligned, Apple’s foldable iPhone design seems close to final.
  • Production begins late 2025; crease-free screen and Touch ID confirmed, but some things are still subject to change.

The foldable iPhone just got a bit more real. A new leak has revealed the possible display sizes for Apple’s long-rumored book-style foldable, and it lines up with earlier analyst reports, hinting that the final hardware could already be taking shape.

According to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, Apple’s first foldable will feature a 7.8-inch main display on the inside and a 5.5-inch cover screen on the outside. That closely matches the dimensions previously tipped by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this year, making it the second major source to double down on those sizes.

Apple folding iPhone display
Apple’s foldable iPhone fan render. [Photo Credit: Apple Insider]

While that puts the foldable iPhone slightly behind the Galaxy Z Fold7 in sheer screen real estate (it uses an 8-inch main and 6.5-inch outer display), Apple may be leaning more into usability than pushing screen boundaries, especially if the leaked crease-free display tech ends up delivering.

Apple’s engineering approach is said to focus on eliminating the central crease, a pain point for many current foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold7 (although it is way less noticeable now). Kuo has previously claimed Apple is using a laser-drilled metal plate beneath the screen to evenly distribute bending stress. That could finally bring a truly seamless foldable experience, something not even Samsung has fully cracked.

ALSO READ: Apple’s $2,500 Foldable iPhone Enters Final Stages: Foxconn to Assemble in Late 2025, Specs Revealed

What’s the Bigger Picture?

This leak isn’t just about display sizes, it confirms that Apple is moving forward with a very specific vision for its first foldable. Foxconn is already preparing for assembly by late 2025, with full-scale mass production scheduled for 2026. 

The timeline lines up with Apple’s broader hardware cadence and gives it time to perfect the hinge, refine the titanium chassis, and sort out battery tech that can handle constant folding without degrading.

Also interesting is Apple’s decision to skip Face ID. The foldable is expected to ship with a side-mounted Touch ID sensor instead, likely due to the engineering constraints of a flexible screen. There’s also talk of a dual-camera setup on the back, and a single front camera that works in both modes, though nothing ultra-zoom or periscope yet.

ALSO READ: Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Could Cost Over $2,000, Touch ID, and Crease-Free Display

Still Room for Tweaks

foldable iPhone

Despite the growing pile of leaks, insiders warn that not everything is final. Apple is still testing components, including the hinge mechanism, which hasn’t been locked in. Kuo also cautions that timelines can shift, especially if Apple decides to make last-minute design or durability improvements.

But this much is clear: Apple is no longer experimenting behind closed doors. With display specs, suppliers, and assembly windows now lining up from multiple sources, the foldable iPhone has officially entered its final development phase. The only thing left is seeing whether Apple’s take on foldables is actually something interesting or just a foldable with iOS.

The iPhone Fold or whatever it will be called is expected to be released next year (if all goes well) alongside the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Air. The base iPhone 17 model and the iPhone 17e will be released the subsequent year, marking a shift in Apple’s iPhone launch strategy.

ALSO READ: Apple to Split iPhone Launches Starting 2026, Base Models to Arrive Separately in Spring

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Mehtab AnsariMehtab Ansari
Mehtab Ansari is the Assistant Editor – Features & Reviews at Smartprix, where he writes about smartphones, laptops, audio gear, and everything in between. A computer science student by degree but a tech nerd by heart, he’s been into consumer tech for years and started reviewing products professionally in February 2024. He’s especially into photography and audio, often spending more time testing a smartphone’s camera than he probably should. For him, tech isn’t just work, it’s what he’s always thinking about.

Expertise 

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, smartwatches, photography, and audio gear. I’ve reviewed over 60 products across these categories on Smartprix in the past year and a half.

Education - Bachelor of Computer Applications – Nizam College, Hyderabad (2022–2025) | Joined Smartprix -February 2024 | Published Reviews & Stories - 723

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