iPhone Fold May Go for Punch-Hole and Under-Display Cameras Replacing the Notch

Highlights

• Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to open like a book with a 7.8-inch inner and a 5.5-inch outer screen.
• The outer screen may have a punch-hole camera instead of a notch or Dynamic Island.
• The inner foldable display might feature an under-display camera for a full-screen experience.
• Apple aims to finalise the hardware by June with mass production expected by late 2026.
• A launch can be expected by the end of next year.

Caption – New leak about the upcoming iPhone Fold share some key details. (Image credit – Apple)

Apple’s foldable iPhone has been a long-running rumour. However, it looks like things are finally moving forward if we believe the leaks and supply chain chatter. We have already heard about some possibilities when it comes to the first foldable from the Cupertino Giant, but the latest leaks give a good idea of what we can expect.

Well-known Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station says the iPhone Fold is getting closer to becoming real and might break away from Apple’s usual design choices.

Caption – Latest Digital Chat Station post on Weibo. (Translated via Google Translate)

The foldable iPhone is expected to open like a book featuring two screens. These would be a large 7.8-inch inner display with no visible crease and a smaller 5.5-inch outer screen.

What stands out is how Apple might handle the selfie cameras. The outer screen could come with a punch-hole cutout, a big shift from the usual notch or Dynamic Island. Inside, the foldable screen may use an under-display camera, which would give users a full-screen experience. That’s a bold move, as not many phone makers have pulled it off successfully.

Touch ID might also return, but not under the screen. Instead, Apple is likely placing it in the power button on the side, just like on the iPad Air. That choice probably makes sense given how packed foldable phones can get internally, leaving little room for the usual Face ID setup.

On the development side, things seem to be speeding up too.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is aiming to lock in the hardware design by June. Meanwhile, Jeff Pu reports that the foldable iPhone is already in the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, which usually means a working prototype is ready. Mass production is said to be planned for late 2026, with a possible launch around the end of next year.

As for pricing, the first-generation foldable iPhone is expected to cost between $2,000 and $2,300, putting it squarely in the ultra-premium category. But considering Apple’s loyal fanbase and the buzz around a foldable iPhone, the high price might not be a dealbreaker.

Apple has clearly been observing the foldable market carefully. From the looks of it, the company is preparing to release a device that could set a new standard, not just play catch-up. Whether or not it lives up to the hype remains to be seen, but Apple seems ready to fold the future on its own terms.

FAQs

Q1. How will Apple’s foldable iPhone be designed?

Answer. The device is expected to open like a book, featuring a 7.8-inch inner screen with no visible crease and a 5.5-inch outer screen.

Q2. What changes are being made to the selfie camera setup?

Answer. The outer screen may have a punch-hole cutout instead of a notch or Dynamic Island, while the inner foldable display could feature an under-display camera for a full-screen experience.

Q3. When will the foldable iPhone be released, and how much will it cost?

Answer. Apple aims to finalise the hardware design by June, with mass production expected in late 2026 and a possible launch around the end of next year. The price is expected to be between $2,000 and $2,300, placing it in the ultra-premium category.

Also Read: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone: What We Know About the Design, Release Date, and Price

Also Read:  iPhone 18 Fold Tipped to Cost Up to $2300; May Feature Under-Screen Camera and Samsung-Made Display with Minimum Crease