Apple's first FOLDABLE iPhone is 'revealed' by a leaker

It is one of the most eagerly anticipated devices for 2026 – and now we may have been given our first glimpse at the 'iPhone Fold'. 

Jon Prosser, a YouTuber known for his Apple leaks, has shared renders of what he claims is Apple's first foldable device. 

In a video posted to his YouTube channel, FrontPageTech, Mr Prosser shows off 3D renders of what the device might look like. 

'Next year you'll only be seeing three new iPhones,' he explains at the start of the video. 

'iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, oh and uh...this. This is the brand new iPhone Fold, and it's probably your next iPhone.'

Apple experimented with clamshell and book–style designs, but eventually settled on the book–style, according to Mr Prosser. 

If this is true, it will put Apple in direct competition with Samsung and Google, who both released their own book–style foldables – Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold – in 2025. 

The leak has delighted thousands of Apple fans in the comments, with one joking: 'This is the Christmas present I was waiting for'. 

Although it has been rumoured for years, it now looks almost certain that Apple is planning to unveil the folding iPhone in September 2026. 

'After years of companies like Samsung pioneering and perfecting the foldable form factor, Apple finally decides that 2026 is the year to pretend they're doing it too,' Mr Prosser joked. 

Where Apple really plans to set itself apart from its rival, however, is with the 'crease' – a feature hated by many foldable sceptics. 

'One big drawback to foldables, regardless of how cool they may look and feel, is that from too many angles, you can see and feel a crease down the middle of the plastic display where the hinge is,' Mr Prosser explained. 

While this issue has plagued Samsung and Google for years, Apple has 'completely subverted' it, according to the leaker. 

He explained that the tech giant will do this by using a metal plate to disperse the pressure of bending the display, along with liquid metal in the hinge itself. 

The outside of the device will almost look like a standard iPhone measuring around 9mm thick, with a 5.5–inch display. 

'That's relatively thin considering when you unfold this thing you'll be greeted with a 7.8–inch iPad like display,' Mr Prosser said. 

iPhone Fold: Rumoured key specs

Style: Book–style

Size: 5.5–inch display when closed, 7.8–inch display when opened

Thickness: 9mm closed, 4.5mm open

Cameras: One on the outside, two rear–facing, and one on the inside

Colours: Black and white

Price: $2,000–$2,500

'You're looking at 4.5mm thin – it's kinda crazy.'

Of course, one of the features users will be most interested in is the camera. 

According to the YouTuber, there will be a total of four cameras – one on the outside, two rear–facing, and one on the inside.

Meanwhile, one of the most unusual rumoured features is the return of Touch ID, in place of Face ID.  

Mr Prosser explained: 'In terms of security, Touch ID will be making a return, right in the power button, which is also returning to the top of the phone.'

While Apple delighted fans this year with orange and blue version of its Pro smartphones, it's expected to opt for more muted tones in the foldable. 

'The only colours available will be black and white,' Mr Prosser said. 

Finally, the leaker gives an indication of the price – which he calls 'very, very expensive'. 

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'We're talking something in the ballpark of $2,000–$2,500,' he added. 

As ever, Apple is remaining tight–lipped on all iPhone Fold rumours. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail at Apple's London HQ in September following the launch of the iPhone 17 series, John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, politely declined to even discuss the subject. 

'You probably know we never talk about anything in the future,' he said. 

'We are so excited to talk about what we're going to be shipping to people tomorrow.'

THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE

1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.

The first product was the Apple I. 

1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market. 

1981: Jobs became chairman.  

1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.

1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.

1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.  

2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.

The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.

2007: Apple unveils the iPhone. 

2010: The first iPad was unveiled.

2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.

2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones - the 6 and 6 Plus. 

2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services. 

2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.  

2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner's face.    

2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers. 

2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.

2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus. 

2021: In an online virtual event in April CEO Tim Cook declared Apple's goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year the iPhone 13 was announced. 

2022: In September the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash as well as an improved camera system. 

2023: Apple brought back its 'Home Pod' after the first generation was discontinued. The 'Home Pod' can be seen as an alternative to Amazon's Alexa or Google Home as it is powered by voice commands. 

2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once with many delayed until the following year.