Apple's First Foldable iPhone Rumored for 2025 with Revolutionary Design
Apple is strongly rumored to introduce its inaugural foldable iPhone model sometime this year, marking a significant departure from the company's traditional smartphone designs. Although Apple has not officially confirmed these plans, industry insiders expect the device to be unveiled alongside the anticipated iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models during Apple's customary September launch event.
"Most Significant Overhaul in iPhone History"
In the latest edition of his influential PowerOn newsletter, Bloomberg's respected technology journalist Mark Gurman described Apple's foldable iPhone as representing "the first actual form-factor change" for the iconic smartphone line. Gurman emphasized that this device is "going to be the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history," drawing comparisons to previous landmark models like the iPhone 4, iPhone 6, and iPhone X that each introduced substantial design innovations.
Book-Style Form Factor and Display Technology
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a book-style form factor similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, providing users with substantially more screen real estate for enhanced video viewing, gaming experiences, and productivity applications. Gurman has suggested that a properly executed foldable iPhone could "even be an iPad replacement in many cases," potentially disrupting Apple's own tablet market.
According to multiple reports, the device will incorporate an external display approximately the size of a compact iPhone screen, while the internal foldable panel will expand to create a much larger viewing area when opened. Apple engineers have reportedly focused considerable attention on minimizing the visible crease that typically appears when foldable screens are bent, employing advanced display technologies that may reduce though not completely eliminate this characteristic.
Major Design Changes and Security Features
The foldable iPhone is expected to introduce several notable design departures from current iPhone models:
- The external display will feature a hole-punch cutout for the front-facing camera, replacing the pill-shaped Dynamic Island notch found on recent iPhone Pro models
- Apple is rumored to eliminate the Face ID facial recognition system on this device, instead incorporating Touch ID fingerprint authentication into the side button
- This would mark the return of fingerprint scanning to Apple's flagship iPhone lineup since the third-generation iPhone SE launched in 2022
- The device is engineered for enhanced durability with improvements to the number of folding cycles the screen can withstand before showing wear
Pricing, Availability, and Market Position
Industry analysts suggest the foldable iPhone may carry a premium price tag of approximately $2,000, positioning it at the very top of Apple's smartphone hierarchy. The device is expected to include a dual-camera system on the rear, though specific details about camera capabilities remain undisclosed.
Gurman recently reported that Apple's foldable iPhone might experience shipping delays following its anticipated September debut. While the smartphone is expected to be announced alongside other new iPhone models, actual availability could lag by several months after the Pro variants begin shipping to customers. This potential delay means eager consumers may need to exercise patience before obtaining Apple's highly anticipated entry into the foldable smartphone market.
The technology community continues to monitor developments closely as Apple potentially prepares to enter the competitive foldable device segment, bringing its distinctive design philosophy and ecosystem integration to a product category that has gained increasing consumer interest in recent years.
