Shop E Store We’ve been hearing reports of a foldable iPhone for years, and the latest one suggests it could finally arrive in late 2026.
There are two approaches Apple could take with this product, but so far there’s no consensus on which is better…
Option 1: Flip
The first approach is top-down folding. When opened, the device has a similar-sized screen to existing iPhones, and when folded, it’s half the height and width and twice as thick, making it an extremely pocketable device.
This approach is commonly referred to as a “flip” design, and is effectively a reimagining of the dumbphone format popularized by the Motorola Razr.
The latest example of this is Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6.
When folded, the device has a small screen on the outside, which is useful for notifications, and when opened, the main screen appears on the inside.
Option 2: Crease
The second approach is something like the iPad mini, which folds up to make the device the same size as an existing iPhone and opens to a larger screen.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 is one example. There is one full-height display on the outside.
Then open it up to reveal a twice the size display inside.
Another way to use this design is as a laptop-style clamshell, as imagined here by designer Antonio De Rosa.
What approach should Apple take?
Which approach do you think Apple should take: flip or fold?
When we asked this question in 2021, the majority of you weren’t interested in a foldable iPhone, but among those who were, there was no clear consensus on which form factor was the better. There wasn’t. I had some preference for the flip design, but not by much.
This time we’ll split the questions, first to find out how many people would buy a foldable iPhone (if it were available in the format they prefer), and then to find out which design Apple should go with.
As for the first question, Samsung’s precedent suggests it will be an expensive option with a much higher price tag than existing iPhone models, so please keep this in mind when answering.
Please answer each one and share your thoughts in the comments.
Image: 9to5Google, Antonio De Rosa
