Apple Plans First Foldable iPhone Launch in 2026 with Crease-Free Screen

Apple is set to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, entering a market long dominated by Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. Unlike Apple's typical innovation-driven launches, this foldable will follow the established design of foldable OLED screens and a book-style layout, focusing on refinement rather than reinvention. A key improvement will be the use of a new laser-drilled metal display plate from Fine M-Tec, which is expected to eliminate the visible crease on the inner screen, a common issue with foldables. The device is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer screen, two rear cameras, Touch ID in the power button, and no Face ID. Software-wise, the foldable iPhone will likely run iOS apps with possible split-view options on the inner screen, but it may lack full iPad app support initially, aiming for a smooth transition within the existing Apple ecosystem. Priced around $2,000, the foldable iPhone targets premium buyers and aims to capture iPhone users interested in foldables without leaving Apple's ecosystem.