The long-rumored foldable iPhone is one of the most anticipated products in Apple's pipeline, with a launch now widely expected in 2026. As the projected release window draws closer, a flurry of new leaks and reports is painting a clearer picture of what Apple's first foldable will look like and the competitive landscape it will enter. Recent information suggests Apple is pursuing a unique, wide-screen form factor, a design choice that has reportedly prompted its chief rival, Samsung, to develop a direct competitor with similar dimensions.
The Core Specifications of Apple's Foldable iPhone
According to multiple reports, Apple's inaugural foldable device will feature a clamshell design with two distinct screen sizes. When folded, the external display is expected to measure approximately 5.3 to 5.4 inches, serving as a compact screen for notifications and basic tasks. Unfolding the device reveals a much larger internal screen, with rumors pointing to a size of around 7.7 inches. The most defining characteristic of this internal display is its aspect ratio. Leaks from sources like The Information indicate it will be "more wide than tall when unfolded," adopting a 4:3 ratio similar to Apple's iPad lineup. This design philosophy suggests Apple is aiming to blend the portability of an iPhone with the screen real estate and app compatibility of an iPad.
Reported Specifications Comparison (2026 Models):
| Feature | Apple Foldable iPhone (Rumored) | Samsung "Wide Fold" (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Window | Fall 2026 | Fall 2026 |
| Folded Display | ~5.3 inches | 5.4 inches |
| Unfolded Display | ~7.7 inches | 7.6 inches |
| Unfolded Aspect Ratio | 4:3 (iPad-like) | 4:3 |
| Key Design Goal | iPad-like experience, productivity | Direct competition with Apple's form factor |
| Known Compromise | Black bars when watching widescreen video | Black bars when watching widescreen video (based on current Fold experience) |
Samsung's Preemptive Counter: The "Wide Fold"
In a strategic move, Samsung is reportedly preparing a direct response to Apple's foldable. Dubbed the "Wide Fold" in industry reports from Korea's ET News, this device is also slated for a 2026 launch. Its specifications appear designed to mirror Apple's rumored choices closely, featuring a 5.4-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch main screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio. This indicates that Samsung, the current leader in the foldable phone market, views Apple's wide-screen approach as a significant enough threat to warrant a specifically tailored competitor. The stage is being set for a head-to-head battle in the premium foldable segment in the fall of 2026.
The Pros and Cons of a Wide-Screen Foldable
The choice of a 4:3, iPad-like aspect ratio is a deliberate trade-off with clear benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, this squarish screen is excellent for productivity and content creation. Reading documents, editing photos, browsing websites, and using multi-pane apps becomes a more natural and efficient experience, closely mimicking the workflow on a tablet. However, the major compromise comes with media consumption. When watching standard 16:9 or wider cinematic video content, the 4:3 screen will result in prominent black bars on the top and bottom, a visual drawback already noted by users of Samsung's similarly proportioned Galaxy Z Fold series. Apple and Samsung are betting that the productivity gains will outweigh this media-viewing limitation for their target audience.
Latest Renders and Design Refinements
As of late December 2025, new AI-assisted renders based on the latest leaks provide the most realistic visualization of the foldable iPhone to date. These images depict a device that is notably wide in its unfolded state, with a very minimal external screen. Industry insiders note that while Apple's engineers have developed what is believed to be the most advanced hinge mechanism in the industry, completely eliminating the visible crease on the foldable screen has proven impossible. The final product is expected to have a very slight crease, a minor but inevitable physical characteristic of current foldable display technology. The design has sparked divided opinions, with some praising its productivity focus and others finding its proportions unconventional for a phone.
Timeline of Recent Key Reports:
- September 2025: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple's foldable will resemble "two iPhone Airs stuck together."
- Mid-December 2025: The Information details the 5.3-inch/7.7-inch sizes and wide, 4:3 aspect ratio.
- December 22, 2025: Korea's ET News reports on Samsung's "Wide Fold" with similar 5.4-inch/7.6-inch, 4:3 specs for 2026.
- December 24, 2025: New, refined AI-generated renders based on latest leaks provide updated visualizations of the foldable iPhone design.
The Strategic Battle for Foldable Dominance
The convergence of rumors around both Apple and Samsung's 2026 plans highlights a pivotal moment for the foldable market. Apple's entry is poised to bring mainstream validation and significant software integration, potentially attracting a new wave of users. Samsung's quick response with the "Wide Fold" shows its intention to defend its market leadership by matching Apple's speculated form factor head-on. This competition will ultimately benefit consumers through accelerated innovation, but it also presents a clear choice: embrace a wide-screen device optimized for work and tablet-like apps, or prefer a taller, more video-friendly foldable. The answers will begin to take shape in the fall of 2026.