Apple Reportedly Set to Launch Foldable iPhone in 2026, May Have Liquid Metal Hinge

Apple is reportedly set to launch their long rumored foldable iPhone in late 2026, possibly around the second half of the year. It’s purported to be in development with a book-style folding design, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a clamshell style like the Galaxy Z Flip. This means it would likely have a larger inner display—rumored to be around 7.8 inches when unfolded—for a tablet-like experience, alongside a smaller outer display of about 5.5 inches for use when folded.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that it will have a liquid metal hinge that is 2.5 times stronger than titanium alloys, offering superior resistance to bending, deformation, and dents. That’s a big deal for a foldable phone, where the hinge takes a beating from constant folding—potentially tens of thousands of times over its lifespan.

Thickness is another focus: it could be as slim as 4.5–4.8 mm when unfolded (thinner than most phones) and 9–9.5 mm when folded, borrowing tricks from the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. Battery-wise, there’s talk of high-density cells, possibly hitting 5,000 mAh across two stainless steel-cased units, which would be impressive for such a thin device and could rival the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s endurance.

As for the cameras, details are sparse, but some rumors point to a dual rear setup (main and ultra-wide, no telephoto), with two front-facing cameras—one for each display state. Interestingly, Face ID might get swapped for a Touch ID power button, likely due to the folding design’s constraints. The processor’s a safe bet to be an A-series chip, maybe an A20 or variant, given the 2026 timeline, paired with Apple’s own modem (like the C1 or C2).
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