What if the next iPhone doesn't just fit in your pocket, but also unfolds into a mini tablet?

After years of speculation, Apple's first foldable iPhone is no longer a distant dream. Recent design leaks reveal a device that breaks almost every convention of the iPhone we know today, relocated buttons, no Face ID, and a screen that opens into a 7.8-inch tablet experience. With a projected price tag of around $2,000–$2,400 (roughly 300,000–370,000 yen), this could be the most dramatic iPhone launch since the original in 2007.

Here's what the leaks tell us, and what it means for Japan, the world's most iPhone-loyal market.

Apple's "iPhone Fold": What We Know So Far

Apple has never officially confirmed a foldable iPhone. But in recent weeks, a cascade of leaks from credible sources, including prominent Weibo leakers Digital Chat Station and Instant Digital, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, has painted the clearest picture yet of what Apple is building.

The device, internally codenamed "V68," is expected to launch in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. It's widely referred to as the "iPhone Fold," though Apple's final naming choice remains unknown.

Design: A Radical Departure from Traditional iPhones

The most striking revelation from the latest leaks is how different this device is from any iPhone that came before it.

Book-style foldable design: Unlike flip-phone style foldables (such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip), Apple has opted for a book-style form factor. Think of it as a phone that opens like a book to reveal a tablet-sized screen. When folded, it's roughly the size of an iPhone mini. When unfolded, it approaches the dimensions of an iPad mini.

Two displays: The inner (main) display measures approximately 7.8 inches with a resolution of 2,713 × 1,920 pixels and an aspect ratio close to 4:3, deliberately designed to feel more like an iPad than a typical tall smartphone screen. The outer (cover) display is about 5.5 inches, usable for quick tasks without opening the device.

Relocated buttons: In perhaps the most user-habit-disrupting change, the volume buttons have been moved to the top edge of the device, similar to the iPad mini. The right side retains the power button (with Touch ID) and the Camera Control button. The left side is completely smooth, no buttons at all, because that's where the hinge sits.

Touch ID returns, Face ID gone: Apple has reportedly abandoned Face ID for this device, opting instead for a fingerprint sensor built into the power button. The reason? Face ID hardware takes up too much internal space, conflicting with Apple's goal of making the folded device as thin as possible (approximately 9–9.5mm folded, 4.5–4.8mm unfolded).

Camera layout: The rear features a horizontal dual-camera "plateau" similar to the iPhone Air, with two 48MP lenses, an LED flash, and a microphone. Notably, this camera module is always black regardless of the phone's body color. Only two colors are expected at launch, white and possibly black.

Under-panel front camera: The inner display may use under-panel camera technology, hiding the front-facing camera beneath the screen for a cleaner, more immersive display experience. The cover display uses a smaller punch-hole camera, resulting in a much smaller Dynamic Island than current iPhones.

Technical Innovations: Why Apple Waited This Long

Apple entering the foldable market years after Samsung and Google isn't a sign of being behind, it's classic Apple strategy. The company typically waits until it can deliver a polished experience rather than releasing an early, imperfect product.

Crease-free display: The most ambitious goal is reportedly a display with virtually no visible crease. At CES 2026, Samsung Display showcased a crease-minimizing foldable OLED panel that multiple sources suggest could be the same technology Apple plans to use. Apple is also reportedly experimenting with ultra-thin flexible glass (UFG) to further reduce crease visibility, a feature that, if achieved, would set the iPhone Fold apart from every foldable on the market.

Premium hinge engineering: The hinge combines titanium and stainless steel (with possible "liquid metal" alloy elements) and is described by leakers as "very strong." Apple has reportedly prioritized hinge durability and crease reduction as non-negotiable quality standards.

Largest iPhone battery ever: With the entire left side of the device dedicated to battery cells and display circuitry, the iPhone Fold is expected to house approximately 5,500mAh, the largest battery in any iPhone. However, powering a 7.8-inch display means battery life may not be dramatically longer than standard models.

A20 Pro chip and C2 modem: The device is expected to run Apple's latest A20 Pro processor and second-generation custom cellular modem (C2), both manufactured using cutting-edge 2nm process technology.

The Price Question: A $2,400 Luxury Device

Market analysts estimate the iPhone Fold will cost between $1,999 and $2,400 (approximately 300,000 to 370,000 yen). IDC projects an average selling price of around $2,400, which would make it roughly three times the price of a standard smartphone.

For context, that's comparable to or slightly above Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 (around $2,000), and significantly more expensive than Google's Pixel Fold. In Japan, where the average iPhone purchase price has been climbing steadily due to the weak yen, a 370,000-yen iPhone represents a significant psychological barrier.

JPMorgan estimates Apple could ship around 10 million units in the first year, potentially capturing 22% of the foldable market by unit share and 34% by revenue. IDC predicts the foldable market itself will grow 30% in 2026, with Apple's entry as the primary catalyst.

What This Means for Japan's Smartphone Market

Japan is arguably the most interesting market to watch when it comes to the iPhone Fold, for several reasons.

Japan: The iPhone Capital of the World

Japan has long been one of the most iPhone-friendly markets globally. According to MMD Research Institute's September 2025 survey, iPhones account for 48.3% of main smartphone usage in Japan, with Android at 51.4%. While Android has recently edged ahead in overall share, iPhone remains dominant among younger demographics, approximately 70% of users in their teens and twenties choose iPhone.

This iPhone loyalty runs deeper than brand preference. In Japan, the phenomenon of "minna ga tsukatteru kara" ("because everyone uses it") creates a powerful network effect, particularly among younger users. AirDrop file sharing, iMessage group chats, and ecosystem integration (Apple Watch, AirPods, Mac) all reinforce iPhone's social importance in Japanese daily life.

The Price Barrier in a Price-Sensitive Shift

However, the Japanese market is experiencing a notable shift. iPhone prices have risen considerably due to the persistent weakness of the yen, and surveys indicate growing consumer fatigue. The iPhone 17 (256GB) is priced at approximately 129,800 yen (around $850), up from 94,800 yen for the equivalent iPhone 7 model nine years ago.

The iPhone Air, launched in September 2025 as a thin, premium model, reportedly underperformed sales expectations. Reports suggest the planned iPhone Air 2 may even be delayed due to sluggish demand.

Against this backdrop, a 370,000-yen foldable iPhone faces a clear challenge: it's equivalent to buying both an iPhone 17 and an iPad with money to spare. For most Japanese consumers, the practical question will be whether a single foldable device can truly replace two separate ones.

The Foldable Landscape in Japan

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series remains the most recognized foldable brand in Japan, but foldables in general represent a tiny fraction of the Japanese market. Globally, foldable smartphones accounted for just 1.6% of all smartphone shipments in 2025, according to TrendForce.

Apple's entry could be the catalyst that transforms foldables from a niche curiosity into a mainstream category. The company's track record of popularizing product categories it didn't invent, from smartphones to tablets to smartwatches, suggests the iPhone Fold could do for foldables what the original iPhone did for touchscreen phones.

The Carrier Factor

Japan's major carriers (NTT Docomo, au/KDDI, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile) play a crucial role in smartphone sales. Their trade-in and installment payment programs have historically helped Japanese consumers afford premium iPhones. Whether carriers offer aggressive subsidies or installment plans for a $2,400 device could make or break the iPhone Fold's success in Japan.

Industry Impact: Ripple Effects Before Launch

Even before any official announcement, the iPhone Fold is already reshaping the foldable market. According to reports, Samsung is planning its own wide-format foldable device for Q3 2026, a direct competitive response to Apple's rumored design approach.

The wider aspect ratio Apple has chosen (closer to iPad proportions rather than the narrower, taller format used by Samsung's Z Fold series) could establish a new design standard for the category. If successful, it may push other manufacturers to rethink their foldable form factors.

Apple's insistence on a crease-free display could also accelerate display technology development industry-wide, raising the baseline quality that consumers expect from any foldable device.

Looking Ahead: September 2026 and Beyond

The iPhone Fold represents more than just a new product, it's a signal of how Apple sees the future of personal computing. By merging iPhone portability with iPad-level screen real estate, Apple is making a bet that people want a single device that adapts to different usage scenarios rather than carrying multiple gadgets.

Rumors of a second-generation foldable iPhone in 2027 suggest Apple is planning this as an ongoing product line, not a one-off experiment. And with the iPhone's 20th anniversary also falling in 2027, Apple appears to be entering a period of unusually rapid product evolution.

For Japan, where the smartphone is central to daily life, from mobile payments to commuter train entertainment to social communication, the arrival of Apple's foldable iPhone could mark one of the most significant shifts in the mobile landscape since smartphones first replaced the beloved "garakei" (Japanese feature phones) over a decade ago.

What about your country? How popular are foldable phones, and would a $2,400 iPhone Fold tempt you to switch? We'd love to hear how different markets view Apple's foldable ambitions, share your thoughts with us!

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