Summary
- Apple reportedly considering a clamshell flip-style iPhone foldable for future release.
- A book-style foldable iPhone is expected to launch later this year alongside the iPhone 18 series.
- Apple's first clamshell iPhone could arrive in 2028.
Apple this year is going to launch its first folding iPhone. It is going to be a book-style foldable with a wide passport-like aspect ratio. Now, it looks like there could be a clamshell iPhone in development as well. However, it's not coming anytime soon
Apple's flip-style iPhone reportedly in works
In the latest PowerOn Newsletter, Mark Gurman has mentioned that the Cupertino brand is internally considering a square, clamshell-style foldable iPhone. It will be a radically different take on the iPhone Fold, with a compact, vertically inward-folding design.
However, fans will not get an iPhone Flip anytime soon. As per the report, the idea is still at an early stage and Apple will only consider this factor if there is an actual demand for it. The iPhone maker is seemingly banking on the success of the iPhone Fold to determine the feasibility of the clamshell iPhone.
As for what it will offer, an early iPhone Flip launch timeline leak hinted at an LTPO OLED panel for the folding display. It could also offer a large outer screen much like the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Other than that, it could also gain an under-display selfie camera, Pro-grade Apple processor and glass mid-frame.
That said, it is still very early to know what the clamshell Apple iPhone will bring to the table. For now, all eyes are on the iPhone Fold, which is expected to go official in September 2026. It will mark such a pivotal point for the brand that Apple is skipping the base iPhone 18 to shift the spotlight to the foldable.
Source
Bloomberg
