The expected release of the iPhone Fold in 2026 is rumored to kick off three years of fresh iPhone designs, with bezel-free and flip iPhones following.
The rumor mill firmly believes that the iPhone Fold will be coming out in 2026, but it has more plans in store. If one leaker is correct, Apple will continue to offer new forms of iPhone for a few more years.
According to an OLED display market report seen by leaker "Yeux1122" and discussed on Naver, Apple's preparing to bring out multiple iPhone designs between 2026 and 2028. This is described as Apple bringing out a "new form factor iPhone" each year.
The first is the most rumored about, the iPhone Fold. Apparently destined to arrive in 2026 after years of speculation, the model will be a "book-shaped foldable" with an LTPO+ flexible OLED screen that will be about the same size as an iPad mini.
To the leaker, the iPhone Fold has strategic significance as being its first entry point into the "foldable era." It also integrates the tablet experience into the iPhone.
While it has been a long-rumored device, the sheer number of rumors and reports about it actually arriving in 2026 gives it a good chance of becoming a reality. It also helps that the president of Samsung Display has all but confirmed its existence.
Current expectations for the model is the use of an internal 7.76-inch screen that folds like a book, along with an external 5.49-inch version. However, reports also claim that Apple is having troble creating the hinge, which may push the release into 2027.
Bezel-free beyond 2026
Following up the iPhone Fold's release in 2026 will be another new design in 2027. This time, it will be the 20th anniversary iPhone, which has been rumored a few times previously as having a bezel-less design.
The leaker says it will have a "four-edge bending OLED," along with a "Crater Diffusion Layer" to minimize issues with brightness. The model will also have the Face ID sensors and camera fully embedded into the display, eliminating the notch and punch hole for a clean display.
The strategic significance of the design is that it is a "symbolic model," and an "icon of pure visual beauty."
The idea of Apple coming up with a bezel-free iPhone has been floated for some time. But it is also something that has massive technical challenges to achieve.
Apple has worked with long-term display suppliers Samsung Display and LG Display on OLED screens without a bezel. Accomplishing this would mean the creation of new Thin Film Encapsulation (TFE) processes to protect the OLED panel, as well as using new adhesives for bonding the panel while working with curved elements of the display.
The adhesives are a big issue due to the potential of optical distortion when viewed from the side.
Strength issues with a more glass-heavy design and the introduction of an under-display camera system also stand in the way of the design.
Flipping out in 2028
Apple is also expected to continue its form factor trials into 2028. For that year, it will be Apple's second foldable design, this time in the form of the iPhone Flip.
Rather than a book-style foldable, it will be a vertically-folding flip-style device, which will be compact and lightweight. Just as the iPhone Fold will probably have a second external screen, the iPhone Flip should have a "simple information display" complete with AI shortcuts and a notification window.
As an anonymous social media-based leaker, Yeux1122 has a slightly better reputation for Apple rumor accuracy than others, but not by much. The account is generally considered an aggregator for leaks, rumors, and reports from elsewhere, and that approach usually has problems maintaining accuracy in the long term.
