After years of rumors, Apple now has a production prototype iPhone fold
After seven years of rolling rumors saying that it was for sure coming next year, the iPhone Fold is now in its production prototyping phrase, ahead of an expected launch in 2026.
Render of a possible iPhone Fold - Source AppleInsider
Unsurprisingly after so many years of designing and manufacturing iPhones, Apple has a very specific process of prototyping that it follows, as exclusively revealed by AppleInsider. Now according to DigiTimes, the iPhone fold prototype is in its first round of testing.
DigiTimes says that this testing is earlier than expected, but it appears to fit with recent claims that Apple expected mass production to begin in summer 2026. While this fits with those most recent other reports, it's still the case that the iPhone fold has been reportedly about to launch for many years.
It's even been reported before that Apple has had not just one, but two folding iPhone prototypes -- and possibly more. That is, if Apple hasn't abandoned the whole idea.
Certain key details of the device are also regularly reported, such as how Apple aims to differentiate the iPhone fold from its rivals. In 2022, Apple was said to be working with Samsung -- which launched a folding phone in 2019 -- to make screens without a crease.
In 2025, it was still working on that crease-resistant screen, and reportedly Samsung Display was due to get the orders for it.
Overall, though, despite concrete examples of Apple's interest such as patents covering complex hinges for folding devices, the only constant has been that the iPhone fold is always a year away.
That's the case with this latest report, too, although it's also not quite clear how much of it is merely repetition of earlier claims. DigiTimes, though, says it's based on supply chain details.
Those details include that the iPhone fold entered its first, P1, prototype testing during June 2025. As AppleInsider has previously documented, it typically takes two months for a device to go through this initial stage.
That stage is then ideally followed by one or two more prototyping tests, each of which again takes around two months. If no significant problems are found, then in theory the iPhone fold should complete prototype testing by November 2025.
What happens next
The iPhone fold will then enter the Engineering Validation Test (EVT) stage. It's less fixed how long the EVT process takes, as Apple will iterate through what it calls EVT-1, EVT-2, and so on, until the device is considered passed.
There are then two further stages, Design Validation Testing (DVT), and Production Validation Testing (PVT). The former is concerned with further testing of both hardware and software, and DVT models may now be sent out to carriers to trials.
By the time the device reaches PVT, it should be what will ultimately be sold to users. But the PVT stage focuses on manufacturing, and specifically at manufacturing at scale, to ensure it can be mass-produced.
While there is no known specific timescale for EVT, DVT, or PVT, the fact that the iPhone fold is now already in the first prototype stage fits with the expected mass production date. If all goes as planned, the iPhone fold will be in manufacturing alongside the iPhone 18 range, and launch at the same time.
Note that this latest report is another that claims Apple has temporarily halted development of an iPad fold.
Rumor Score: Likely
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Comments
Apple seems hell bent on pushing products that few people want of late.
The 12 mini is HUGE compared to the 4 or 6.
my reasoning:
Apple went out of there way to create an iPhone Air just so that the rest of its iPhone line doesn’t look chunky when the iPhone fold shows up, the iPhone fold will always look thinner it’s 2x as big as the standard iPhone allowing for it to be thinner. We all know Apple just cares about aesthetics and a
product appearances. Next year Apple can come out with an iPhone air fold justifying the high price tag, that iPhone air will open the door for.
A small form-factor would be great for field workers, farmers, restaurant owners, etc. However it should come with elegant solutions where iOS and iOS apps can present themselves stripped out (fewer buttons or more contextual UI) rather than just scaling a large iPhone size down. And battery life should remain good.
Upon its introduction, this appears to be a class-action lawsuit. Consider the current foldable phones being sold; there is hardly any discussion about their failure rates. However, once Apple’s version is released, every weakness of a folding phone will be extensively, reinforced and covered ad nauseam, Jerryrigged and iFixit will quickly create YouTube videos highlighting these issues, as will every other Tom, Dick, and Harry.
To date, the current manufacturers of folding phones have enjoyed a relatively favorable position regarding the durability of the crease (the elephant in the room). However, this will not be Apple’s fate. Lawyers lineup.
[Link: https://www.theverge.com/tech/635839/best-foldable-phone]
They essentially dismiss the long-range problems. They will not do that with Apple. Note that the article only has five lightweight responses.