Apple’s long-rumored iPhone Fold is becoming easier to picture. In a new investor note, analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) outlined expected hardware details for Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup, including the iPhone Fold.
One detail immediately sets it apart from the rest of the lineup: Face ID is reportedly not included.
Instead, Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to rely on Touch ID, while the iPhone 18 Pro models continue to use Face ID with a smaller Dynamic Island.
iPhone Fold Display and Design
According to Pu, the iPhone Fold will use a book-style folding design with two displays:
- 7.8-inch internal OLED display
- 5.3-inch external OLED display
To accommodate the folding mechanism, Apple is expected to drop Face ID on this model. Touch ID would handle biometric authentication, likely integrated into a side button.
The iPhone Fold is also expected to use a more premium frame, combining titanium and aluminum, compared to the aluminum-only casing on the Pro models. Easrlier this week, leaker yeux1122 on the Korean blog, Naver, suggested Apple will use liquid metal to strengthen the hinge.
The phone is expected to be priced around the $2,000 and $2,500 mark.
iPhone 18 Lineup Specs at a Glance
Pu says Apple will launch three iPhone models in fall 2026. Here’s a simplified look at the expected hardware:
iPhone 18 Pro
- Display: 6.3-inch OLED
- Processor: A20 Pro (N2 process)
- Memory: 12GB LPDDR5
- Front camera: 18MP
- Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP periscope, 48MP ultra-wide
- Face ID: Yes
- Frame: Aluminum
iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Display: 6.9-inch OLED
- Processor: A20 Pro (N2 process)
- Memory: 12GB LPDDR5
- Front camera: 18MP
- Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP periscope, 48MP ultra-wide
- Face ID: Yes
- Frame: Aluminum
Related: iPhone 18 Display Sizes and Dynamic Island Changes Leak Ahead of Launch
iPhone Fold
- Displays: 7.8-inch internal, 5.3-inch external
- Processor: A20 Pro (N2 process)
- Memory: 12GB LPDDR5
- Front cameras: 18MP when folded, 18MP when unfolded
- Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide
- Face ID: No (Touch ID instead)
- Frame: Titanium and aluminum
Related: Apple May Launch Only Three iPhones in 2026, Dropping the Base Model
All three models are expected to use Apple’s C2 modem.
Apple’s Market Outlook for 2026
Pu believes Apple is positioning itself well for 2026, even as the broader smartphone market slows. He expects global smartphone shipments to decline by around 4 percent due to rising memory costs and weaker demand in lower-priced Android phones.
Apple, however, is projected to ship around 250 million iPhones in 2026. That would represent a year-over-year increase and push Apple’s market share to roughly 21 percent. Continued strong demand for the iPhone 17 lineup is already influencing Apple’s early production plans.
Related: Apple Leans More on Samsung as iPhone RAM Prices Surge
Built With AI in Mind
The shift to N2 silicon, WMCM packaging, and 12GB of memory across the lineup is not just about raw performance. Pu links these upgrades directly to Apple’s AI roadmap.
According to the analyst, the iPhone 18 lineup is being designed to support more advanced on-device AI workloads, including a more capable version of Siri that Apple is aiming to roll out in 2026.
If these details hold true, the iPhone Fold will not just introduce a new form factor. It will also play a key role in Apple’s broader push toward on-device intelligence across the iPhone lineup.
