Apple’s Foldable iPhone Tipped for 2026 Launch With Four Cameras, Touch ID and C2 Modem: Report

Highlights

• Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected in 2026 and will sport a book-style design with an 8-inch inner display, four cameras, Touch ID and Apple’s next-gen C2 modem.
• Apple is skipping Face ID in favour of Touch ID and integrating a versatile camera setup optimised for both folded and unfolded use.
• Production is expected to ramp up in early 2026 with a fall release in black and white colours.

Caption – A concept image of a future foldable iPhone. (Image credit – Macrumors)

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed fresh details about Apple’s highly anticipated foldable iPhone in his latest Power On newsletter. The device is expected to arrive in 2026 and will bring several unique features that set it apart from current iPhones. Here’s what we know from the latest report.

Foldable iPhone – What To Expect?

According to Gurman, Apple’s first foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style design similar to existing Android foldables. Once unfolded, it will reveal a large 8-inch inner display. The phone is said to feature four cameras in total, one on the outer screen, one on the inside, and two on the back.

The foldable will also reintroduce Touch ID for authentication and integrate Apple’s in-house cellular modem for connectivity.

The camera setup is designed to suit the versatile form factor. When folded, the device will work like a standard iPhone with a 5–6-inch outward-facing display and a front-facing camera. On the back, a high-resolution main sensor will handle primary photography, while the second rear camera is expected to be either an ultra-wide or telephoto lens. When unfolded, users will have access to the large inner screen with another selfie camera for video calls and content creation.

Interestingly, Apple’s decision to use Touch ID instead of Face ID is due to design constraints. Foldables require extremely slim hardware, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously claimed the device will measure just 9.5mm when folded. If true, this would make each half thinner than 5mm, slimmer than any iPhone to date.

The complex TrueDepth camera system used for Face ID cannot fit into such a thin chassis, so Apple is reportedly opting for a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the side button.

Connectivity will also see a major upgrade. After debuting the Apple C1 modem in the iPhone 16e, the company plans to introduce its next-gen C2 modem in the foldable iPhone. The C2 chip promises faster speeds and will also power the upcoming iPhone 17 Air in 2025.

Both devices along with the foldable iPhone are expected to ship without a SIM card slot, similar to the U.S.-exclusive eSIM-only iPhones already on the market.

Foldable iPhone – Availability and Pricing

According to the Bloomberg report, suppliers are expected to ramp up production in early 2026 with an official consumer launch planned for the fall. Colour choices for Apple’s first foldable will be limited to black and white.

Pricing, however, will likely be a barrier for many buyers. Gurman noted that Android foldables already cost upwards of $1,800, and Apple’s version will almost certainly be positioned at the same premium level, if not higher.

FAQs

Q1. When is Apple expected to launch its first foldable iPhone?

Answer. Apple is reportedly planning to launch its foldable iPhone in fall 2026, with suppliers ramping up production earlier that year.

Q2. What are the expected key features of the foldable iPhone?

Answer. The device will feature a book-style foldable design with an 8-inch inner display, four cameras (outer, inner, and dual rear), Touch ID via side button, and Apple’s next-gen C2 modem for faster, eSIM-only connectivity.

Q3. Why is Apple using Touch ID instead of Face ID in the foldable iPhone?

Answer. Due to the ultra-slim design (just 9.5mm when folded), Apple cannot accommodate the bulky TrueDepth system used for Face ID, so it’s opting for a side-mounted Touch ID sensor.

Related Links –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/samsung-to-supply-crease-free-display-for-apples-foldable-iphone-expected-in-2026/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/foldable-iphone-may-arrive-in-2026-early-production-could-begin-later-this-year-kuo/