Is iPhone Fold Apple’s Most Anticipated Product Since iPhone X?

May 4, 2026

iPhone Fold: Apple’s Biggest iPhone Redesign Since iPhone X?

When Apple introduced iPhone X in 2017, it was more than just another iPhone upgrade. It removed the Home button, introduced Face ID, brought an edge-to-edge OLED display to the iPhone, and set the design direction for almost every flagship iPhone that followed. Apple even described iPhone X as “the future of the smartphone” and “the beginning of the next ten years for iPhone.”

Now, almost a decade later, Apple may be preparing for another major iPhone reset.

That device is widely rumored to be the iPhone Fold — also called iPhone Ultra in some leaks — Apple’s first foldable iPhone. Current reports suggest it could feature a book-style folding design, a compact outer screen, a larger iPad-like inner display, an ultra-thin body, Touch ID instead of Face ID, and a price that may start above $2,000.

But the real story is not just the specs.

The real story is the expectation.

Across Reddit discussions, Apple fans are asking whether the iPhone Fold could finally make foldables mainstream — or whether it will become an expensive first-generation experiment with too many compromises.

So, is the iPhone Fold really the most anticipated Apple product since iPhone X?

Let’s break down the excitement, the doubts, and the biggest questions users are asking.

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Why the iPhone Fold Feels Like a Bigger Deal Than a Normal iPhone Upgrade

Most yearly iPhone updates are predictable. A faster chip. A better camera. A brighter display. A new color. A slightly better battery.

The iPhone Fold is different because it could change the physical meaning of an iPhone.

Instead of asking users to choose between a phone and a small tablet, Apple may be trying to combine both ideas into one device: a compact outer-screen iPhone for quick use, and a larger inner-screen device for reading, multitasking, watching content, editing photos, and working on the go.

That is why the iPhone Fold feels closer to the iPhone X moment than a typical Pro Max upgrade. iPhone X changed how people interacted with the iPhone by removing the Home button and replacing it with gestures and Face ID. The iPhone Fold could change how people use the iPhone by turning it into a pocketable phone-tablet hybrid.

What Made iPhone X So Important?

To understand why the iPhone Fold is being compared to iPhone X, we need to remember what iPhone X changed.

iPhone X introduced:

An edge-to-edge OLED display
No physical Home button
Face ID
Gesture-based navigation
A new visual identity for the iPhone
A design that influenced years of future models

Apple positioned iPhone X as the future of the smartphone, with Jony Ive saying Apple’s goal had been to create an iPhone that was “all display.”

That is why iPhone X still feels like a turning point. It did not just improve the iPhone — it redefined what an iPhone looked and felt like.

The iPhone Fold may be the first iPhone since then with the potential to do something similar.

What Are the Most Reliable iPhone Fold Rumors So Far?

Apple has not officially announced the iPhone Fold, so every detail should be treated as unofficial. However, several rumors have appeared repeatedly across Apple-focused sources.

Rumored Feature	Current Expectation	Reliability
Design	Book-style foldable iPhone	High
Outer Display	Around 5.5 inches	High
Inner Display	Around 7.8 inches	High
Inner Screen Ratio	iPad-like 4:3 aspect ratio	High
Thickness	Around 4.5mm unfolded, 9–9.5mm folded	Medium
Unlock Method	Touch ID power button instead of Face ID	High
Rear Cameras	Dual-camera system, likely no telephoto	Medium-High
MagSafe	Unclear; may be missing based on dummy models	Medium-Low
Price	Expected to start above $2,000	Medium-High
Crease	Reportedly reduced or nearly invisible	Medium

MacRumors currently reports that the foldable iPhone is expected to have a roughly 5.5-inch display when closed and a 7.8-inch display when opened, making it slightly smaller than the 8.3-inch iPad mini. The same report says the device may be around 4.5mm thin when unfolded and could use Touch ID instead of Face ID due to the ultra-thin chassis.

That combination — smaller than a Pro Max outside, closer to an iPad mini inside — is the reason so many users are paying attention.

Why Reddit Users Are So Interested in the iPhone Fold

Reddit discussions show that users are not simply asking, “What are the specs?”

They are asking deeper questions:

Will this finally make foldables useful?
Will Apple solve the crease problem?
Will the inner display be durable enough?
Will the outer screen feel too small?
Will it replace an iPad mini?
Will it lose MagSafe?
Will Touch ID feel like a downgrade?
Will the camera be worse than a Pro Max?
Will it be worth more than $2,000?
Should users buy the first generation or wait?

That makes the iPhone Fold conversation different from normal iPhone rumors. People are not just comparing camera megapixels or colors. They are debating whether this device could create a new category inside the Apple ecosystem.

1. Could iPhone Fold Make Foldables Mainstream?

This is probably the biggest reason the iPhone Fold matters.

Foldable phones already exist, but they have not become mainstream in the same way standard slab phones have. Many users still see foldables as expensive, fragile, or unnecessary.

Apple entering the category could change that.

If Apple can make the foldable experience feel polished, reliable, and deeply integrated with iOS, the iPhone Fold could do for foldables what iPhone X did for edge-to-edge phones: make the design feel inevitable.

But Reddit users are not fully convinced. Some say foldables still feel like engineering flexes rather than practical devices. Others say they would consider one only if Apple solves durability, crease visibility, and software optimization.

That tension is exactly what makes the iPhone Fold so interesting.

ZAAP Take:
The iPhone Fold may not be the first foldable phone, but it could be the first foldable that makes mainstream Apple users take the category seriously.

2. Will the iPhone Fold Feel Like an iPad Mini in Your Pocket?

One of the strongest arguments for the iPhone Fold is that it could offer an iPad mini-like experience in a pocketable device.

Rumors suggest the inner display may be around 7.8 inches with an iPad-style aspect ratio. That would make it useful for reading, maps, browsing, email, photo editing, multitasking, and watching content.

This is where Reddit users seem genuinely curious. One discussion around the iPhone Fold’s dimensions highlighted the appeal of a wider, more rectangular inner screen, with users noting that a shape closer to the iPad mini could be more useful than a square-like foldable display.

If Apple gets this right, the iPhone Fold may not simply be a bigger iPhone. It could become a device that replaces casual iPad mini use for many people.

ZAAP Take:
The iPhone Fold’s biggest advantage may not be that it folds. It may be that it gives users a small iPhone and a mini tablet in one device.

3. Will Apple Finally Solve the Foldable Crease Problem?

The crease is one of the biggest concerns in almost every foldable phone discussion.

Reddit users repeatedly mention crease durability, hinge strength, and inner-screen reliability as possible deal-breakers. In one discussion, users specifically pointed to the durability of the crease and hinge/inner screen as major concerns, especially for a first-generation device that could cost more than $2,000.

Apple is reportedly working on a hinge and display system designed to reduce or nearly eliminate the visible crease. MacRumors says Apple has spent time developing a durable hinge and a display that is close to crease-free.

But “close to crease-free” is not the same as “no crease forever.”

A foldable display still bends. It still has moving parts. It still faces long-term wear in a way a regular iPhone does not.

ZAAP Take:
If Apple can make the crease nearly invisible and the inner screen durable enough for years of use, the iPhone Fold could become a landmark product. If not, it may remain a luxury device for early adopters.

4. Why Are Some Users Worried About Foldable Durability?

Durability may be the biggest reason some Reddit users remain skeptical.

In Reddit discussions, some users say they would not consider a foldable unless the technology is “near perfected,” while others worry about soft inner screens, dust, grit, scratches, and long-term hinge wear.

This concern is understandable. Traditional iPhones are simple, rigid slabs. Foldables add:

A flexible display
A hinge
Two halves of a chassis
More potential dust entry points
A softer inner display layer
More mechanical stress over time

Apple’s challenge is not just to make a foldable iPhone. It is to make a foldable iPhone that feels like an Apple product — polished, durable, and trustworthy enough for everyday users.

ZAAP Take:
The iPhone Fold does not need to be indestructible, but it must feel durable enough that mainstream users are not afraid to use it without babying it.

5. Will Touch ID Instead of Face ID Feel Like a Downgrade?

One of the most surprising iPhone Fold rumors is the possible return of Touch ID.

Reports suggest the iPhone Fold may be too thin to fit Apple’s TrueDepth camera system, which is required for Face ID. As a result, Apple is expected to use a Touch ID power button instead.

This is an interesting twist.

iPhone X introduced Face ID and removed Touch ID from Apple’s flagship iPhones. If the iPhone Fold removes Face ID and brings back Touch ID, it would be both futuristic and strangely nostalgic.

Some users may like Touch ID. It works well when a phone is lying flat on a desk, and many iPad users are already familiar with power-button Touch ID.

But for a device that may cost more than $2,000, losing Face ID could feel like a compromise.

ZAAP Take:
Touch ID may make engineering sense for an ultra-thin foldable, but Apple will need to make it feel intentional — not like a missing flagship feature.

6. Will the iPhone Fold Lose MagSafe?

This is one of the most controversial rumors.

Recent dummy model analysis suggests the iPhone Fold may not show the usual MagSafe magnet layout. MacRumors says this could mean the device may not have MagSafe, although the report also notes that this remains speculative.

For many iPhone users, MagSafe is no longer just a charging feature. It is part of the daily iPhone ecosystem:

Wireless chargers
Car mounts
Wallets
Battery packs
Travel chargers
Desk stands
Tripod mounts
Magnetic grips

If the iPhone Fold ships without MagSafe, it could become one of the biggest practical complaints from existing iPhone users.

This is especially important because the iPhone Fold is rumored to be Apple’s most expensive iPhone. A higher price usually raises expectations, not tolerance for missing features.

ZAAP Take:
A foldable iPhone without MagSafe would still be exciting, but it would also feel incomplete to many users who already live in Apple’s magnetic accessory ecosystem.

7. Will the Camera Be Worse Than a Pro Max?

This is another major concern.

Reports suggest the iPhone Fold may have only two rear cameras, likely wide and ultra-wide, with no dedicated telephoto lens. MacRumors says the device is expected to have two rear cameras instead of three because of the ultra-thin design.

That matters because many Pro Max users buy Apple’s largest iPhone specifically for the best camera system.

If the iPhone Fold costs more than a Pro Max but lacks a telephoto lens, some users may see it as a lifestyle device rather than the ultimate iPhone.

Reddit users have already raised this concern. In one thread, a user said they had grown attached to the three-camera setup and hoped a future foldable iteration would add it.

ZAAP Take:
The iPhone Fold may be Apple’s most exciting iPhone design, but it may not be Apple’s best camera phone.

8. Is the Outer Screen Too Small?

A rumored 5.5-inch outer display could be both a strength and a weakness.

On one hand, it may make the closed iPhone Fold easier to use with one hand. Some users miss smaller iPhones, and a compact outer display could bring back that feeling.

On the other hand, Pro Max users may find it too small for typing, navigation, video, and everyday use.

Reddit discussions show this split clearly. Some users like the idea of a compact outer screen and a larger inner screen. Others say they want a more normal full-size phone experience when the device is closed.

This is one of the biggest design bets Apple may be making.

ZAAP Take:
The iPhone Fold’s outer screen may appeal to users who miss compact iPhones, but it could frustrate users who expect a Pro Max-like experience when closed.

9. Will the iPhone Fold Be Worth More Than $2,000?

Price may be the final deal-breaker.

Rumors suggest the iPhone Fold may start above $2,000, making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold.

That price changes the way people judge the device.

At $999, iPhone X was expensive for its time, but it introduced a new design direction and flagship features. At $2,000 or more, the iPhone Fold would need to justify itself not only as a luxury iPhone, but as a replacement for multiple devices.

For some users, that math may work. If the iPhone Fold replaces an iPhone and an iPad mini, the price may feel more reasonable.

For others, it may be too much for a first-generation product with possible compromises in camera, MagSafe, Face ID, and durability.

ZAAP Take:
The iPhone Fold does not just need to be impressive. At more than $2,000, it needs to feel genuinely useful every day.

10. Is the iPhone Fold Really the Most Anticipated Apple Product Since iPhone X?

Yes — but with conditions.

The iPhone Fold has the ingredients of a major Apple moment:

A new form factor
A new interaction model
A phone-tablet hybrid experience
A possible iPad-like inner display
A major shift in iPhone design
Huge curiosity from Apple users
High-risk engineering challenges
Expensive first-generation expectations

That is exactly why it feels bigger than a normal iPhone upgrade.

But anticipation does not guarantee success.

The iPhone Fold must answer hard questions:

Can Apple make the crease nearly invisible?
Can the hinge survive years of use?
Will the inner display resist scratches?
Will iOS feel natural on a foldable?
Will the outer screen be comfortable?
Will users accept Touch ID instead of Face ID?
Will losing MagSafe be a deal-breaker?
Will the dual-camera system feel good enough?
Will the price make sense?

If Apple solves most of these problems, the iPhone Fold could become the most important iPhone since iPhone X.

If not, it may become a beautiful but expensive first-generation experiment.

Final Verdict: The iPhone Fold Could Be Apple’s Next iPhone X Moment

The iPhone Fold is not exciting because it may have the fastest chip or the best camera.

It is exciting because it could change what an iPhone is.

That is why the comparison to iPhone X makes sense. iPhone X changed the front of the iPhone forever. The iPhone Fold could change the shape of the iPhone forever.

But Apple’s challenge is much harder this time.

With iPhone X, Apple had to convince users to give up the Home button. With iPhone Fold, Apple may need to convince users to trust a flexible screen, a hinge, a new form factor, a higher price, and possibly fewer traditional flagship features.

That is a much bigger ask.

Still, if any company can turn foldables from a niche category into a mainstream premium product, it is Apple.

The iPhone Fold may not be for everyone. It may not be the best camera iPhone. It may not be the best value iPhone. It may not even be the safest iPhone to buy in its first generation.

But it could be the first iPhone in years that feels truly new.

And that is why it may be Apple’s most anticipated product since iPhone X.

FAQ: iPhone Fold Rumors and Reddit Questions

When will the iPhone Fold launch?

Current rumors point to a possible 2026 launch, but Apple has not officially announced the device. Until Apple confirms it, the launch window should be treated as unofficial.

Will the iPhone Fold be called iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra?

Both names appear in rumors. “iPhone Fold” is the most common descriptive name, while “iPhone Ultra” has also been mentioned as a possible branding choice. Apple has not confirmed the final name.

How big will the iPhone Fold screen be?

Current rumors suggest around a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded. The inner display is expected to use an iPad-like aspect ratio.

Will iPhone Fold have Face ID?

Current reports suggest the iPhone Fold may use Touch ID in the power button instead of Face ID because the device may be too thin for Apple’s TrueDepth camera system.

Will iPhone Fold support MagSafe?

This is still unclear. Some dummy models suggest MagSafe may be missing, but that remains speculative and has not been confirmed by Apple.

Will the iPhone Fold have a crease?

Apple is reportedly working on a reduced-crease or nearly crease-free foldable display, but real-world performance will not be clear until the device is officially released and reviewed.

Will the iPhone Fold replace an iPad mini?

For casual reading, browsing, notes, maps, and multitasking, it might replace an iPad mini for some users. For drawing, heavy tablet work, or long writing sessions, a dedicated iPad may still be better.

Should you buy the first-generation iPhone Fold?

Early adopters may find it exciting, but most users should wait for reviews. First-generation foldables involve more risk than normal iPhone upgrades, especially around durability, price, and feature trade-offs.