Trendforce has rounded up various rumors about the “iPhone Fold” the rumored foldable Apple smartphone expected to debut this year.
° According to South Korean outlet The Elec, Apple is reviewing the use of transparent polyimide (PI) film as the protective layer placed on top of the ultra-thin glass (UTG) cover window for its debut foldable product, which is expected to launch in the second half of this year. The report says Apple is evaluating both polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and transparent PI film as candidates for the protective layer applied over UTG. With Apple reportedly weighing PI film, Kolon Industries has emerged as a potential supplier.
° According to PhoneArena, Apple may revise button placement, with the foldable iPhone’s volume buttons reportedly moving to the top-right edge instead of the left side. The power button—doubling as Touch ID—and the camera control button would remain on the right. The report notes that consolidating all buttons on one side avoids routing ribbon cables across the folding area, reducing potential hinge failure points over time.
° According to MacRumors, the internal structure is said to adopt a stacked architecture, with most of the space dedicated to the display and battery. This means the device may feature the largest battery ever used in an iPhone. The iPhone Fold may include a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display, a 5.5-inch cover display, Touch ID, dual rear cameras, the A20 chip, and the “C2” modem.
° According to Bloomberg, sources say the company is already exploring a follow-up model in the form of a smaller, square, clamshell-style foldable phone. The tech giant apparently believes its first foldable iPhone will gain sufficient traction to create meaningful demand for the category, encouraging interest in additional form factors.
Meanwhile, book-type foldables are emerging as the primary growth engine of the foldable smartphone market. According to Counterpoint Research’s Foldable Smartphone Market Forecast, book-type devices are projected to account for around 65% of global foldable shipments in 2026, up from 52% in 2025.
This reflects continued improvements in hardware, usability, and manufacturer confidence in higher-value form factors. In comparison, clamshell foldables are increasingly positioned as complementary offerings within style-led or entry-premium segments, with their overall market share expected to decline gradually, according to the research group. Within this structural transition, Apple’s entry is expected to play a meaningful role, Counterpoint Research notes.
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