Top-secret iPhone ‘leak’ reveals new book-like design – but insiders say it will be Apple’s priciest handset yet

RUMOURS of a foldable iPhone are picking up steam, following the success of book-like and clamshell designs from rivals.

Here’s everything we’ve heard about the mythical handset so far.

Book-like design

Apple is rumoured to be opting for a book-like design with a titanium exterior, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

That would make the handset look similar to the Samsung Fold, as opposed to the clamshell design of the Samsung Flip.

Analysts, including Kuo Jeff Pu, also say it will feature a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded, along with a 5.5-inch outer display.

Kuo expects the device to have two rear cameras, and one front-facing camera.

He also believe the device to be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded.

Price

The foldable iPhone is expected to be Apple’s priciest handset yet.

Barclays analyst Tim Long recently estimated that Apple’s first foldable iPhone could start at around $2,299 (£1,780) in the US.

That’s nearly twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199 / £1,199.

Lost Face ID

Apple’s take on a foldable smartphone is rumoured to ditch Face ID, according to Kuo.

It may instead bring a much-loved feature back from the dead: Touch ID.

The fingerprint scanner was hoped to make a revival with Apple’s newest iPhone SE – known as the iPhone 16e.

However, the budget device, which was unveiled in late February, sported Face ID instead.

Release date

We are still far away from an exact release date.

But Kuo and Pu both reckon the foldable iPhone will enter mass production in late 2026.

This sets Apple up nicely to release the gadget sometime in 2027.

Is it legit?

Now, Apple hasn’t confirmed any plans for such a device.

But Pu has said the foldable iPhone recently entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) stage at Apple’s manufacturer Foxconn.

The advancement suggests Apple is moving ahead with plans to release the device.

DO WE NEED A FOLDABLE IPHONE?

Here’s what The Sun’s tech editor Sean Keach has to say…

How badly do you want a foldable phone? Unless you’re a tech geek, you probably never even think about it.

I am a tech geek – and I hardly give it thought.

Of course, foldable phones are a good idea if perfectly executed.

After all, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a phone that can have both a regular screen and giant one too – but still fit in your pocket.

The problem is that there are so many trade-offs.

You’ll have to deal with a big old crease down the middle of the screen.

And foldable phones so often end up very thick, or long, or both.

That’s not to mention the price of foldable phones, which often cost hundreds more than their regular counterparts.

Wallets are strained under the growing cost of life, not to mention tech and subscriptions – so new gadgets needs to feel very useful to justify forking out extra.

So until a company can resolve at least some of these problems with foldable phones, they’ll struggle to reach the mainstream in the way that regular phones have.

Apple is often brilliant at making things catch on, even if it’s not always first across the line.

And if Apple can solve at least the creasing issue – and maybe the thickness problem too – then it could make foldable phones more desirable.

Maybe I’ll finally be converted.

For now, I’m sticking with tapping my flat slab of metal and glass.

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