Foldable iPhone to have book-style design, lack Face ID, and cost over US$2,000?
Could this rumour be true? A modern iPhone with no Face ID?
#foldableiphone #apple #iphone
Concept render of the foldable iPhone. Photo: Ming-Chi Kuo
A new report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo details the possible specs, price tag, development schedule, and shipping estimates for Apple's first foldable iPhone.
Similar to other reports, Kuo expects the foldable iPhone to adopt a book-style design with a 7.8-inch crease-free main display and a 5.5-inch cover display. As a result, expect the foldable iPhone to look more like the Google Pixel Fold.
The more interesting tidbit is the mention of "crease-free", which corroborates the ETNews' report that Apple might have solved the biggest problem with foldable phones. Apple's foldable iPhone could actually "look like a single, uninterrupted piece of glass" if the two reports turn out to be accurate.
In terms of thickness, the foldable iPhone is expected to measure between 9 to 9.5mm when folded, and 4.5 to 4.8mm when unfolded. For comparison's sake, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 measures 12.1mm when folded and 5.6mm when unfolded, while the Oppo Find 5N is 9.83mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded.
Due to the slim form factor, Kuo claims Apple will ditch Face ID and put Touch ID as a side button on the device. It will also use the same high-density battery as the rumoured iPhone 17 Air.
Other purported specs include a dual-camera setup, a front-facing camera, a hinge made of stainless steel and titanium alloy, and a chassis made of titanium alloy. The foldable iPhone is expected to cost between US$2,000 (~S$2,630) and US$2,500 (~S$3,287).
Kuo estimates the final specs could be finalised in Q2 this year with mass production planned in Q4 next year. Looking further, Kuo predicts the second-gen foldable iPhone will enter mass production in the second half of 2027.
Based on this development schedule, there is a possibility that Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone in late 2026. An estimated three to five million units are projected to be manufactured in 2026. The second-gen model would have a better outlook with up to 20 million units built in 2027.
Source: Ming-Chi Kuo
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