Everything We Know About the iPhone Fold: Specs, Battery, and Release

Tuesday, 03 February 2026 at 09:47

It looks like the long-rumored "iPhone Fold" is finally moving from the "maybe someday" pile into something much more tangible. We’ve seen enough supply chain whispers over the years to fill a library, but a fresh set of details from leaker Instant Digital on Weibo has given us the clearest look yet at how Apple is actually engineering this thing.

If you were expecting a simple "iPhone 18 that bends in half," you’re going to be surprised. Apple seems to be treating this as a complete architectural departure, and frankly, some of the design choices feel a bit weird for a company so obsessed with symmetry.

Key Points:

Unique Button Layout: Volume buttons move to the top-right, leaving the left side completely button-free.
iPad Mini DNA: The internal architecture and control placement mirror Apple’s smallest tablet.
Record-Breaking Battery: A new stacked internal design allows for the largest battery capacity in iPhone history.
Contrasting Aesthetics: Features an all-black "camera plateau" that stands out against the device body.
Biometric Shift: Uses a power-button integrated Touch ID sensor instead of traditional Face ID.

A lopsided internal logic

The most jarring takeaway from the leak involves the buttons. Usually, we expect the volume rockers on the left and power on the right—it’s been the standard for over a decade. But on the iPhone Fold, the left side is reportedly going to be completely smooth and button-free.

Read also

Instead, the volume buttons are moving to the top-right edge. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s exactly how the iPad mini is laid out. Apparently, this isn't just a stylistic whim; it’s a matter of internal plumbing. By keeping the motherboard strictly on the right side, Apple avoids having to snake fragile ribbon cables across the hinge to the left side. It’s a pragmatic, perhaps even cautious, engineering move that prioritizes long-term durability over the usual iPhone aesthetic.

Battery and cameras: The "Plateau" look

Perhaps the most exciting rumor here—and I say this with a healthy dose of skepticism—is that this device might house the largest battery ever seen in an iPhone. By essentially gutting the left side of buttons and logic boards, they’ve cleared a massive "stacked" space for cells.

On the back, we’re reportedly getting a dual-camera setup sitting on an "iPhone Air-style" plateau. Interestingly, the leak suggests this camera bump will be finished in deep black, regardless of whether you pick the white or the rumored second color. It’s a high-contrast look that feels more like a piece of high-end camera gear than a traditional smartphone.

Final thoughts on the fold

Look, we’ve been here before with Apple rumors. But with the A20 chip and a rumored 7.8-inch crease-free display on the horizon, the pieces are starting to fit. It’s clearly not going to be cheap—some estimates are already touching the $2,400 mark—but for those of us waiting for a true iPad mini in our pockets, this might finally be the one.