Apple iPhone Foldable: Bloomberg Confirms iPad Interface, New RAM and Price Details Drop This Week — March 15, 2026
The Apple iPhone foldable had its biggest rumor week of the year. Between March 10 and 13, Bloomberg, MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and The Bell all dropped fresh details covering the iOS overhaul, confirmed RAM specs, storage tiers, pricing, the crease reality check, and the design Apple quietly killed. Here is every new detail in one place.
Apple iPhone Foldable Will Run iPad-Style Side-by-Side Apps — Bloomberg Exclusive
Apple's forthcoming foldable iPhone will include updates to the iOS operating system that enable iPad-like layouts and side-by-side apps for the first time, enhancing the device's appeal for multitasking.
The device will still run iOS rather than iPadOS, meaning the multitasking system will remain simpler than on Apple's tablets. However, users will be able to view two apps simultaneously on the larger internal screen — something current iPhones do not support beyond picture-in-picture video. Developers will be able to adapt their apps to take advantage of the larger proportions from day one.
Apple iPhone Foldable Release Date — September 2026 Is Locked In
Apple appears poised to launch its first foldable iPhone — likely dubbed the iPhone Fold — in fall 2026, potentially alongside the iPhone 18 series.
Development appears on track despite earlier concerns about production hurdles. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has maintained that mass production is targeted for the second half of 2026, with initial shipments potentially limited due to yield challenges. Foxconn, Apple's longtime assembly partner, is said to have entered the new product introduction phase, with component stockpiling underway.
The Design Apple Rejected — Why the Flip Phone Never Made It
Apple abandoned its flip phone design because most internally felt it was unnecessary. It did not create any new, essential usage scenarios — its biggest selling point was simply that it could be folded up and fit into a skinny jeans pocket. The internal space of the small foldable phone was awkwardly divided in two by the hinge, making every inch precious, with limited battery capacity and significant camera compromises.
The upcoming foldable iPhone Apple plans to debut this September will operate like a cross between an iPhone and an iPad. When the device is opened up, the UI will have an iPad-like layout that supports multitasking with two apps side by side.
Apple iPhone Foldable Design — 3D CAD Renders Leaked March 9
Sonny Dickson shared what appears to be 3D CAD rendering files of the rumored iPhone Fold design. The design includes a camera plateau similar to the iPhone Air, except with two cameras rather than one. The phone is rounded on two corners and squared off on the two sides where the hinge is located. The design files show the layout when open, with a dot in the top left corner for the front-facing camera.
Apple iPhone Foldable Specs — RAM, Storage, and Display Confirmed
Like the iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 Pro/Max, Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature 12GB of RAM, with Samsung set to begin DRAM shipments in the second quarter of 2026 in line with Apple's production schedule.
The Apple iPhone foldable will come in three storage tiers — 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. These three tiers are one shy of what is available on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which also offers a 2TB option.
| Spec | Apple iPhone Foldable (Confirmed/Leaked) |
|---|---|
| Inner Display | 7.76-inch OLED, wide aspect ratio |
| Outer Display | 5.49-inch OLED |
| Chip | A20 Pro (2nm, TSMC) |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X (Samsung) |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Battery | ~5,500 mAh |
| Authentication | Touch ID in power button |
| Rear Cameras | Dual (wide + ultrawide) |
| Crease | Reduced — not eliminated |
| OS | iOS with iPad-style multitasking |
The Crease — Bloomberg's Reality Check This Week
Early reports suggested Apple had solved the crease problem that has plagued many foldables. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now says the new display technology Apple is using reduces the crease without eliminating it entirely, and that the result is not perfect — suggesting it may be wise to temper expectations.
Apple has tapped Samsung Display as the exclusive supplier for its foldable OLED panels, citing Samsung's advancements in crease reduction technology. Mass production of these displays is reportedly slated to begin around mid-2026.
Apple iPhone Foldable Price — Starting at $2,000 to $2,500
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to come at a price more akin to that of a MacBook Pro than an iPhone, with rumors suggesting it could cost around $2,500 for the entry-level model.
The top 1TB configuration could cost nearly $3,000 — approaching the cost of two 1TB iPhone 17 Pro devices combined. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has consistently pegged the floor closer to $2,000, suggesting the final price will land somewhere in that $2,000 to $2,500 range depending on the configuration.
What Comes Next for the Apple iPhone Foldable Line
After Apple launches its first foldable iPhone in 2026, it will introduce a second-generation model in 2027 — a launch that will fall on the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone's debut.
The foldable iPhone represents a strategic pivot for Apple as it seeks fresh growth drivers amid maturing smartphone sales. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously forecasted 3 to 5 million units in the first year, scaling up significantly in 2027 alongside the second-generation model. Apple has made no official announcements — the earliest confirmation is expected when invites go out for the iPhone 18 event in August 2026.
