An artist's impression of the first foldable iPhone. EXPAT MEDIA/PHONE ARENA

Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone is finally on the horizon, a new report reveals. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple’s first foldable smartphone is set for a 2026 launch, marking the company’s most ambitious hardware project in years. The device will feature a book-style design, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. Closed, it will function as a standard iPhone with a 5–6-inch outer display. When unfolded, it will reveal a larger 8-inch inner screen designed for multitasking, productivity, and immersive media. Apple is also planning a four-camera system, including one front-facing camera when the phone is closed, two rear cameras (wide and ultra-wide or telephoto) and one inner camera for selfies and video calls. In a surprising twist, the foldable will mark the return of Touch ID, integrated into a side-button fingerprint sensor. Bloomberg’s tech journalist Mark Gurman explained that the slim 9.5mm closed form factor could not accommodate the bulky TrueDepth camera system used for Face ID. The foldable will also feature Apple’s new C2 modem for faster connectivity, debuting first in the iPhone 17 Air in 2025. The device will support eSIM-only connectivity and ship in just two colors — black and white. Pricing remains undisclosed, but analysts expect it to exceed $1,800, putting it firmly in the premium category. Apple is also planning a new all-glass iPhone Pro lineup in 2027, one of the company’s boldest design shifts in years. PAD/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page