New report shares display sizes of Apple's rumored foldable iPhone

Image Credit: Apple Insider

Apple is preparing to step into the foldable phone market, with insiders pointing to 2026 as the year its first device in the category will arrive. While the company has kept official details under wraps, research from TrendForce indicates that Apple’s design will center on a dual-screen format, featuring a 7.8-inch internal panel paired with a 5.5-inch external display.

Multiple analysts, including long-time Apple supply chain tracker Ming-Chi Kuo, have echoed these dimensions, suggesting they are part of the company’s current prototype testing.

Unlike competitors that rushed foldables to market, Apple appears to be taking extra time to refine its approach, focusing on durability and usability rather than simply matching specs. Reports indicate Apple is working on a hinge system reinforced by a laser-drilled metal substrate beneath the display. This structural innovation is said to minimize stress during repeated folding and could all but erase the center crease common in existing foldables, offering a cleaner, uninterrupted viewing experience.

Camera and authentication features are also shaping up differently compared to today’s iPhones. Current expectations point toward two rear cameras, a single front-facing camera, and a Touch ID sensor built into the power button, with Apple opting not to integrate Face ID into this first-generation foldable to save internal space and reduce display cutouts.

Apple’s measured entry contrasts sharply with Samsung, whose Galaxy Z Fold line has dominated the segment for years, with the latest model boasting an 8-inch inner screen and a 6.5-inch outer panel. Apple’s slightly smaller sizing hints at a strategy centered on comfort and pocketability rather than competing purely on screen real estate.

The device is expected to debut as a distinct product line rather than replacing the traditional iPhone, offering Apple a new way to engage early adopters and premium buyers while testing how iOS can be adapted to a dual-display form factor. As production plans move forward over the coming year, Apple’s first foldable could become one of its most ambitious hardware launches to date, positioning the company to reshape the high-end smartphone landscape in the second half of the decade.