Apple to unveil foldable iPhone 18 Pro with 2nm chip this fall
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone this fall alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, according to multiple technology outlets and leaks circulating as launch approaches. The reporting centers on nine anticipated changes that would mark a major shift for the iPhone lineup and for foldable devices more broadly.
The foldable design is described as book-like, folding left to right with a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external screen. While Apple reportedly considered a flip-style design that folds vertically, sources say that option was not pursued. The form factor would resemble Google’s Pixel Fold more than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line in its aspect ratio.
A key improvement cited is the reduction of the visible crease in the display. Industry chatter has tied Apple’s hesitation on foldables to crease durability, and the latest leaks estimate a crease depth of 0.15 millimeters or less and a crease angle under 2.5 degrees, marking a notable improvement over current Galaxy Z Fold models.
Software is also expected to be tailored for foldables, with iOS 27 designed to run on a folding form factor. Rather than adopting iPadOS wholesale, the phone would run redesigned iPhone apps optimized for a larger, foldable screen, likely supporting a simple two-app multitasking layout rather than the more complex multiwindow approach on tablets.
Front-camera placement remains unsettled. Early speculation of an under-display camera gave way to the possibility of punch-hole cameras on both the inner and outer displays. The device may also forego the traditional notch and Dynamic Island in favor of a punch-hole-based interface around the camera.
The device is rumored to use Apple’s A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process, powering both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. This 2nm technology is expected to deliver better performance and battery life, and it could be complemented by an N2 networking chip for faster wireless connectivity and a C2 modem designed for cellular links.
Security features may shift as well, with Talk of Touch ID integrated into the side button rather than relying on Face ID, a change that some analysts see as more practical for a hinge-based, foldable form factor where facial sensors could be less reliable.
Durability-focused hardware is a common theme, with reports suggesting a hinge made from a liquid-metal alloy, paired with a body constructed from titanium alloy and aluminum to balance strength and weight.
Battery capacity is expected to sit in the 5,000 to 5,500 mAh range, a sizable pack for a foldable device, supported by improved power management from the A20 Pro chip and associated subsystems.
Price remains a major talking point. Early estimates pegged the starting price around $2,000, while a separate report from Instant Digital cited yuan-based pricing for storage options at about 15,999 to 19,999 yuan, roughly corresponding to 2,000 USD or more. If true, the foldable iPhone would sit at the high end of the premium smartphone market and shape expectations for foldables in the United States.
Why this matters beyond Korea: a foldable iPhone would intensify competition with Samsung and Google in the U.S. market, potentially shifting consumer demand, app development, and accessory ecosystems toward foldable-optimized software. A move to a 2nm A-series chip and tighter integration of wireless and modem components would emphasize U.S.-based supply chains and semiconductor leadership, given Apple’s reliance on advanced foundries and domestic manufacturing commitments. For investors and policymakers, the device signals ongoing bets on premium device innovation, potential shifts in pricing strategies, and the resilience of a diversified, software-driven ecosystem in a more dynamic global tech landscape.