Kuo: Apple's First Foldable iPhone to Feature Book-Style Design, Sell for Over $2,000

[ThomasJL]

Notably, Kuo says that the phone will forgo Face ID authentication, instead using a Touch ID side button as a means to save precious internal space.

Even if it has Touch ID, I wouldn't be surprised if it still has a notch or Dynamic Notchland. The entire current MacBook line has Touch ID, but every one of those models has a notch. Tim Cook is clueless and mediocre, so he probably doesn't see the ridiculousness of a device having both Touch ID and a notch.

 

[macbookj0e]

Apple is introducing a foldable iPhone in 2027, relying on a tired concept that has been widely available in the market since 2019. Now that’s innovative!

Pretty sure they’re not trying to claim this as their idea. In fact Apple have been on record many times saying they prefer not being first to market but being the best.

 

[Nibo10]

I am probably one of a few that can remember and lived through what I am about to say. Apple's offerings from phones to SoCs is starting to look and feel MESSY. A la 1995 through 1997 when Apple's entire series of 'Performa' and 'Power Macintosh' machines were essentially the same, but with different labels, e.g. the 5200/5400 series and the 6200/6300/6400 series. Now they want to introduce a foldable.

It’s important to recognize that not all comparisons are meaningful. Yes, Apple’s product lineup has expanded beyond Steve Jobs original strategy, but that alone doesn’t make for a valid comparison. The world has changed. The market, the global population (and therefore the customer base), Apple’s market share, industry influence, and supply chain - none of these factors are the same as they were. Comparing today’s Apple to the past without accounting for these shifts won’t lead to a logical conclusion. It’s like comparing apples to oranges; the context is simply too different.

 

[AngstyKylo]

Those that actually own foldables and use them everyday will attest to the crease being the lowest priority. Apple should focus on:

Software
Thinness
Weight
Camera quality
IP rating for dust/sand
Apple Pencil support
Durability
Battery life

Nail down all those other design challenges before worrying about minimal crease.

People that complain about the crease typically lack any real-world experience with a foldable (as opposed to a flip phone). People imagine they'll feel the crease every time they swipe or scroll because they're used to how their thumb or finger slides across the middle of a narrow slab phone. What they fail to realize, due to lack of first-hand experience, is the wider inner screen of a foldable makes it difficult to reach the middle where the crease is. In reality, with two-handed use your thumbs are scrolling along the outer third of the large display and rarely encounters the crease. That is why so few foldable owners actually complain about the crease. And when watching content on the glorious, large display, the crease is literally invisible. The crease is there if people want to fixate on it but that's like going for a run and realizing your socks are mismatched -- it's not a big deal.

Agree, the crease was just something to mention. Having bought a Galaxy Fold 3 and actually loving it, I just found it a hassle as it needed 2 screen replacements within 18 months of very careful and light use. Maybe the durability has improved or Apple has designed some new tech, but I wouldn't get this without Apple Care.

 

[DrJR]

I bet they run a sale where they cut the price in half then double it.

 

[Cervisia]

If this will really be an iphone mini fold (5.4 vs 5.5), then sign me up!

 

[Cervisia]

This will cannibalise the iPad

For that price it should be. But Apple is Apple, so my bet is no pencil support and lack of features even ipados has.

 

[TheGeneralist]

On a list labeled "things the world just doesn't need", this one would be right at the top for me.

In my personal opinion, iPad and iPhone as separate, solid devices without fold are just so much better in every aspect. Screen durability is and will remain an issue for this class of devices for the foreseeable future.

 

[Rafagon]

Probably gotta add two years to that estimate.

Apple can't even deliver iOS features according to their promised timeline, and that's just software.

This is hardware.

 

[MichaelAdam]

No thank you … unless they come with something that I don’t think of that I would need … the duo IPad / IPhone works like magic to me … I keep looking at foldable phones trying to understand the use even from friends who owns one and I don’t get it …

 

[iGüey]

This is exactly the iPhone I’ve waited for.

It will be great to have a big screen (2x) in a very reasonable size and pocketable form factor device when closed.

Day 1 buy for me.

 

[Cervisia]

No thank you … unless they come with something that I don’t think of that I would need … the duo IPad / IPhone works like magic to me … I keep looking at foldable phones trying to understand the use even from friends who owns one and I don’t get it …

The ability to read pdfs without carrying an ipad. Small font, full of formulas and figures pdfs, like scientific journals. That one ability converts my phone from a device that's good to pass time to a device that I can do work with. That means 30-90 minutes a day converted from doomscrolling on public transport "free time" to work time, and the same amount of work time converted to actual free time.

 

[StoneJack]

i want to buy it, I very much liked the concept of the MS Surface Duo (aside from its OS)

 

[ralph_sws]

It will be expensive repairs, insurance as well 😝

 

[DroidBro]

Those that actually own foldables and use them everyday will attest to the crease being the lowest priority. Apple should focus on:

Software
Thinness
Weight
Camera quality
IP rating for dust/sand
Apple Pencil support
Durability
Battery life

Nail down all those other design challenges before worrying about minimal crease.

People that complain about the crease typically lack any real-world experience with a foldable (as opposed to a flip phone). People imagine they'll feel the crease every time they swipe or scroll because they're used to how their thumb or finger slides across the middle of a narrow slab phone. What they fail to realize, due to lack of first-hand experience, is the wider inner screen of a foldable makes it difficult to reach the middle where the crease is. In reality, with two-handed use your thumbs are scrolling along the outer third of the large display and rarely encounters the crease. That is why so few foldable owners actually complain about the crease. And when watching content on the glorious, large display, the crease is literally invisible. The crease is there if people want to fixate on it but that's like going for a run and realizing your socks are mismatched -- it's not a big deal.

Agreed, as a fold 6 user.

Apple also needs to avoid samsung's pitfalls of installing less than flagship cameras in the foldable line up. Folds are flagship phones and need to have flagship cameras. Not paying 2k for mid tier phone cameras.

 

[anshuvorty]

If this thing actually releases, it will be yet another example of Apple’s moonshot ideas that will fail to attract any significant market share amongst Apple users - like the Vision Pro.

Just watch - if this thing actually comes out, it will be discontinued by the mid 2030s.

 

[elessar7]

2 grand… with or without tariffs? 😆😆😆

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

2028 iPhone 20 Pro Max or this? Asking for a friend

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

I suppose I can see why people would like this, it's essentially an iPad mini x iPhone crossover. Unfold an iPhone into an iPad mini. It's not for me though. I've had an iPad mini before. Being able to fold it in half and put it in my pocket wouldn't have made me want to keep it, it's still too awkward. I want a 13" iPad, and a normal iPhone. That'll make me happy.

 

[bgarnett]

Looks like I’ll stick to traditional form factor, not interested paying that much for a phone

 

[geta]

But, but Apple says FaceID is much more secure.

If that's the case, in couple of years Apple will reinvent TouchID and implement it to the rest of their phones… and then they’ll bring back the small phones that can fit your pockets

 

[geta]

The price of this phone will be too much. People can easily buy MacBooks at the same rate. Also, Apple took years to release it when users are mot likely to invest in this design.

At this price you can buy MBA plus iPhone and you still have money left for cheeseburger.

 

[TechRunner]

Did we need a Kuo to say this ?
$2999 will be the price. A solution looking for a problem. Just a more expensive one.
Very curious about the “creaseless display”. Many promised, none delivered. I’m not sure it actually is possible with current technology.

Samsung might have solved it. And Apple is preparing to use Samsung panels, if I remember correctly.

Samsung may finally bring this much-needed upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung demoed a creaseless foldable panel at MWC 2025, and it is likely debuting with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

www.androidcentral.com

 

[repnz]

I see a flop.
But let's see if Apple can pull it off and make foldable phones mainstream / not niche.

 

[rp2011]

Is there an actual pearl in the clamshell? A pearl neckless, hopefully.

We had reduced the phone concept to its purest form. They distilled the form factor without any friction between the technology and the end user. Then, out of nowhere, some lunatic says, "How about we make it so you have to open it before you start using it? Make it fragile and prone to breaking" The PERFECT Android Phone!