Apple is reportedly testing a flip-style foldable iPhone, meaning the long-rumored book-style iPhone Fold might not be the only foldable in development. If this latest leak is accurate, an iPhone Flip could be quietly brewing inside Apple’s labs.
And yes, that name just sounds inevitable.
Apple’s foldable plans just got bigger
So far, most credible reports have focused on Apple’s iPhone Fold opening like a book, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
That model is expected to feature:
- 7.8-inch inner display
- 5.5-inch cover display
- Touch ID
- Dual rear cameras
- A20 chip
- Apple’s C2 modem
- Launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup this fall
That device is clearly aimed at productivity users. Big screen, multitasking and almost iPad-like proportions.
But now, according to a supply chain leak from Fixed Focus Digital, Apple is also testing a clamshell-style foldable. Think more compact, more pocketable, less productivity machine, more lifestyle device.
Related: iPhone Fold Leaks Reveal Huge Battery, Touch ID, and Bold Design Changes
Competing with Samsung and Motorola
If Apple moves forward with a flip-style device, it would directly compete with phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the latest Motorola Razr.
Those devices focus on portability and design appeal rather than turning into mini tablets.
Interestingly, Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple is exploring a square, clamshell-style foldable internally. So this isn’t some random out-of-nowhere rumor. There’s smoke here.
Whether the iPhone Flip makes it to mass production is another story.
Book foldable first, iPhone Flip later?
Right now, the book-style foldable appears much closer to launch. It fits Apple’s premium positioning better and justifies the likely high price.
Suggested: Book-Style Foldables to Dominate in 2026 as Apple’s iPhone Fold Nears Launch
A flip-style iPhone feels more experimental. It’s a fun form factor. It’s nostalgic. It’s fashionable. But does it scream “Pro-level productivity”? Not really.
My guess? Apple launches the book-style foldable first to anchor the category at the high end. If that succeeds, an iPhone Flip could follow as a second wave device.
And if Apple does launch one, expect it to be wildly refined. Crease minimized and the hinge engineered within an inch of its life. Possibly using liquid metal and even thinner than rivals.
The bigger story here isn’t just another foldable rumor
It’s that Apple may not be committing to a single foldable direction yet. Testing both a book-style device and an iPhone Flip suggests Apple is still evaluating what kind of foldable experience its users actually want.
That’s very Apple. They rarely rush into new categories, but when they finally do, they aim to define them.
Now the question is simple. Would you rather have a tablet-sized foldable in your pocket, or a compact iPhone Flip that snaps shut?
