Rumors surrounding Apple’s entry into the foldable device market are intensifying, with updated estimates pointing to fall 2026 as the possible time window for the launch of the first iPhone Fold. While the main expectation is for a device that opens in a “book” configuration, similar to what is common among major competitors, new reports from the Chinese social network Weibo raise the possibility that Apple is also testing a “clamshell” configuration model (Clamshell), reminiscent of the iconic foldable phones of the early 2000s.
According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the device is in evaluation stages, but Apple has not yet made a final decision on whether to move it to mass production testing stages. This is not the first time the possibility of an iPhone Flip has surfaced; patents filed by the company about a decade ago hinted in this direction, and journalist Mark Gurman of Bloomberg recently confirmed that this possibility is still on the table of the company’s management in Cupertino.
The main advantage of a clamshell foldable device is the ability to turn a phone with a large display, similar to the current Pro Max models, into a compact unit that easily fits into a pocket. Such a device is expected to include an external display that will show notifications and widgets from the iOS ecosystem, enabling quick access to information without the need to open the device.
However, despite the design and practical potential, Gurman emphasizes that Apple may ultimately decide against the clamshell configuration. The assessment is that the company will prefer to wait and see how its first foldable iPhone is received in the market before committing to an additional foldable model. Alongside these developments, Apple is expected to continue its standard product line, with the iPhone 18 Pro models planned for launch in parallel in fall 2026.