Foldable iPhone: An iPad Mini That Folds in Half
▼ Summary
– The foldable iPhone will be shorter and wider than previous iPhones, with an inner screen roughly the size of an iPad mini’s display.
– YouTuber Vadim Yuryev obtained dummy models of the device, expected to launch in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
– The foldable’s screen is almost as large as the 7.8-inch iPad mini, offering a more immersive experience for gaming and content consumption.
– The device, potentially called “iPhone Ultra,” will be the first iPhone announcement from new CEO John Ternus, with a rumored starting price of at least $2,000.
– Apple faces strong competition from established foldable makers like Oppo, Huawei, and Samsung, but the iPhone brand’s popularity may drive sales.
Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone is taking shape, and new details suggest its internal display will rival the size of an iPad mini. The device, expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max this September, is generating serious buzz thanks to leaked dummy models that reveal its physical footprint for the first time.
YouTuber Vadim Yuryev, who runs the popular Max Tech channel, obtained metal mockups of Apple’s upcoming foldable. These non-functional replicas offer the clearest look yet at the device’s dimensions. In a post on X, Yuryev compared the foldable iPhone’s footprint directly with an iPad mini, showing that the inner screen will be nearly as large as the 7.8-inch tablet display. According to Yuryev, the device feels natural for gaming, particularly titles like Call of Duty that benefit from on-screen controls. Anyone who has gripped an iPad mini for competitive play knows that size hits a sweet spot for the so-called “claw grip.”
Industry speculation points to Apple positioning the foldable iPhone primarily as a content consumption powerhouse. Watching videos, scrolling through TikTok, gaming, and even reading will all benefit from a display that opens up to tablet-like proportions. In a separate comparison, Yuryev showed how the foldable screen dwarfs the iPhone 17 Pro Max display. For 16:9 video content, users would see a viewing area that is nearly 57 percent taller, making the experience significantly more immersive.
Additional visuals shared by Shishir on X, using the Huawei Pura X as a stand-in, illustrate just how much more screen real estate a foldable offers in portrait mode compared to a traditional slab phone. The resemblance in aspect ratio between that device and the rumored iPhone Fold suggests Apple is aiming for a similar user experience.
Apple’s first foldable, potentially branded as the iPhone Ultra, will mark a major milestone. It will also be the first iPhone announcement led by incoming CEO John Ternus. With a starting price rumored to be at least $2,000, this device is not aimed at the mass market. Its reception will set the tone for Apple’s hardware direction and test whether the company can still deliver game-changing products.
The era of automatic blockbuster iPhone launches is over. Even the iPhone Air, a technological feat in thinness, reportedly struggled with sales. Consumers showed they prefer a thicker device like the iPhone 17 Pro Max for its superior battery life, larger screen, and better cameras. Apple’s foldable will also face fierce competition. In China, Oppo and Huawei have refined foldable designs over multiple generations, nearly eliminating the visible crease. Outside China, Samsung dominates with its Galaxy Z Fold series and is reportedly preparing a direct rival. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide design leaked in March, and its dimensions were shared this week by reliable leaker Ice Universe.
Still, the Apple brand carries immense weight. An Apple logo and the iPhone name may be enough to turn the foldable iPhone into a hit, regardless of the crowded market.
(Source: Gizmodo.com)
