Apple has stayed out of the foldable smartphone race for years, mainly due to concerns about display creasing. The company has reportedly rejected multiple foldable designs because they couldn't meet its strict quality standards. That changes in 2026 with the iPhone Fold.
Crease Specifications Leaked
A new leak from Chinese sources claims to reveal the exact measurements of the iPhone Fold's crease. The display will allegedly feature a crease under 0.15mm deep, with a fold angle measuring less than 2.5 degrees. These numbers won't deliver a completely crease-free screen, but they should make the crease virtually unnoticeable during normal use.
The display itself will come from Samsung, which has supplied folding panels to most major brands. Samsung's manufacturing expertise has helped reduce crease visibility across multiple generations of foldable phones, and the iPhone Fold should benefit from this experience.
Launch Timeline and Design
The iPhone Fold will likely debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e should arrive in spring 2027, giving Apple two separate launch windows for its next generation of devices.
Design-wise, the foldable will reportedly feature a camera island similar to the iPhone Air, housing two sensors. For security, Apple plans to use Touch ID integrated into the power button on the right side rather than Face ID. This decision likely stems from space constraints within the folded device.
What This Means for Users
A sub-0.15mm crease represents significant progress in foldable display technology. Most current foldable phones have creases measuring between 0.3mm and 0.5mm, making this a substantial improvement. Users should experience minimal distraction when viewing content or scrolling through apps.
The question now is whether Apple can deliver on these specifications. The company has never shipped a foldable device, so this marks uncharted territory. If the final product matches these leaked specs, the iPhone Fold could set new standards for display quality in the foldable category.
Source (in Chinese)