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Apple Weighs ClamshelliPhone Flip’ as Possible Follow-Up to 2026 Foldable

The internal exploration signals Apple will gauge demand from its first book-style foldable before deciding on additional form factors.

Overview

  • Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple is considering a square, clamshell-style foldable iPhone, but the concept is early and far from guaranteed.
  • Apple’s first foldable is still expected in late 2026 as a book-style device with an outer display around 5.5 inches and an inner screen near 7.8 inches.
  • If approved, a flip-style model would arrive after the initial foldable and target the pocketable segment occupied by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola’s Razr, with some outlets suggesting 2027 at the earliest.
  • Work on a very large foldable iPad has reportedly hit development snags, concentrating hinge and crease-reduction efforts on iPhone projects.
  • Apple is betting that a successful debut foldable could create demand for multiple shapes and sizes, echoing its broader iPhone lineup strategy.