Is Apple Working on a Foldable? Current Evidence

Yes, Apple is very likely working on a foldable device, but as of 2025 it has not announced or confirmed any specific product. The evidence comes from a steady stream of patents, supply chain reports, and analyst statements, not from Apple itself. This article breaks down what is known, what is rumored, and what you can realistically expect.

What Apple Has Actually Said

Apple has never publicly acknowledged a foldable iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The company’s public stance on foldables has been mostly silence, with occasional hints from executives. In 2019, Apple’s head of marketing at the time, Phil Schiller, told CNET that the first foldable phones on the market had “a lot of compromises� and that Apple would not ship a product that “doesn’t do something better.� That remains the closest thing to an official statement.

In 2024, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, John Ternus, said on the Dua Lipa podcast that foldables are “really interesting� but that “the technology has to be right.� He added that “there are a lot of ways to do it wrong.� These comments suggest Apple is actively evaluating the category, but they fall far short of a product announcement.

Patents Are the Strongest Evidence

Apple files hundreds of patents every year, and many never become products. But the sheer number and specificity of foldable-related patents is telling. Since 2016, Apple has filed patents covering:

• Self-healing display materials that can repair scratches and dents on a foldable screen.
• Hinges with interlocking teeth and flexible flaps to prevent debris from getting inside.
• Displays that fold outward and inward, including a “tri-foldâ€� design.
• Touch-sensitive edges that work even when the device is folded shut.
• Battery cells that bend and flex with the device.

One notable patent from 2023 describes a “self-healing� display that uses heat, light, or an electric current to repair damage. Another from 2024 describes a hinge that uses shape-memory alloy to keep the screen flat when open. These are not generic concepts; they are detailed engineering solutions to the specific problems foldables face.

Supply Chain Reports Point to a 2026 Launch

Apple does not manufacture its own displays or hinges. It relies on suppliers, and those suppliers have been leaking information for years. The most consistent reports point to a foldable iPhone or iPad arriving in 2026 or 2027.

In February 2025, The Information reported that Apple had selected a supplier for the foldable display and that the device would be a “book-style� foldable with a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch inner screen. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has repeatedly said Apple is working on a foldable that could be “the size of an iPad mini when unfolded.�

Display analyst Ross Young, who has a strong track record on Apple screens, predicted in 2024 that Apple would launch a 20.3-inch foldable in 2026, possibly as a MacBook/iPad hybrid. More recently, he revised that to a 7.8-inch device in 2026 or 2027. The reports disagree on the exact size, but they all point to a timeline of roughly two years from now.

What the Device Might Look Like

Based on the patents and supply chain leaks, the most likely design is a book-style foldable, not a clamshell like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. That means it opens like a book to reveal a tablet-sized screen, and closes into a phone-sized slab.

Key rumored specs include:

• Outer display: around 5.5 inches, similar to the iPhone 16 Pro.
• Inner display: around 7.8 inches, close to the iPad Mini.
• Hinge: a new design that allows the screen to fold flat with no visible crease.
• Battery: two cells, one on each side of the hinge.
• Operating system: a version of iOS that adapts to the larger screen, possibly with iPadOS-style multitasking.

Apple is also reportedly working on a foldable MacBook with an 18.8-inch screen that would replace the physical keyboard with a virtual one. That device is expected later, possibly in 2027 or 2028.

Why Apple Is Waiting

Apple’s competitors have been selling foldables since 2019. Samsung, Google, and Motorola all have mature foldable lines. Apple’s delay is not a sign of disinterest; it is a sign of a different product philosophy.

Foldables have known weaknesses:

• Crease: a visible line where the screen bends.
• Durability: screens can crack at the fold, and hinges can collect dust.
• Battery life: the larger screen drains power faster.
• Price: most foldables cost $1,500 or more.

Apple tends to wait for a technology to mature before entering a category. It did this with the Apple Watch (after smartwatches existed for years), the iPad (after tablets flopped), and the iPhone (after smartphones existed). The company’s goal is not to be first, but to be the best. That means waiting until the crease is nearly invisible, the hinge lasts for years, and the software genuinely takes advantage of the larger screen.

Common Misconceptions

There is a lot of misinformation about Apple’s foldable plans. Here are the most common myths and the reality:

• “Apple will never make a foldable.â€� The patent and supply chain evidence strongly suggests otherwise. Apple has never filed this many patents for a technology it planned to ignore.
• “The first foldable will be an iPhone.â€� It might be, but it could also be an iPad or a MacBook. Reports are split, and Apple may launch a larger device first to avoid cannibalizing iPhone sales.
• “It will cost $2,000.â€� That is possible, but not confirmed. Apple’s pricing strategy for new categories is unpredictable. The first iPhone cost $499, which was expensive but not outrageous.
• “It will replace the iPad.â€� Unlikely. A foldable phone with a 7.8-inch screen is not a substitute for a 10.9-inch iPad. Apple will likely position it as a new category, not a replacement.

How to Decide Whether to Wait

If you are in the market for a new phone or tablet, the foldable question is a practical one. Here are some factors to consider:

• If you need a new device now, buy the current iPhone or iPad. A foldable is at least 12 months away, and likely longer.
• If you are curious about foldables, try a competitor’s device in a store. The crease is visible, but most users stop noticing it within a week.
• If you are a developer, start preparing your apps for variable screen sizes. Apple has already introduced APIs for adaptive layouts in iOS 16 and later.
• If you are an investor, note that the supply chain reports are consistent, but they do not guarantee a launch date. Delays are common in hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apple actually working on a foldable?

All available evidence — patents, supplier reports, and analyst statements — strongly indicates yes. Apple has not confirmed it, but the volume and specificity of the work makes it nearly certain that at least one foldable device is in development.

When will Apple release a foldable?

Most reports point to 2026 or 2027. The most recent supply chain leaks suggest a book-style foldable could launch in late 2026. Larger devices like a foldable MacBook may come later.

Will Apple’s foldable have a crease?

Probably, but it may be less visible than on current foldables. Apple has patented self-healing display materials and hinge designs that reduce crease visibility. Early reviews will tell the real story.

How much will Apple’s foldable cost?

No price has been announced. Based on competitor pricing and Apple’s premium positioning, a starting price of $1,500 to $2,000 is a reasonable guess, but it could be higher or lower.

Should I wait for Apple’s foldable instead of buying a current iPhone?

If you can wait two years and you want a foldable, yes. If you need a phone now, the current iPhone lineup is excellent. The foldable will not make your existing phone obsolete.

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