Apple’s foldable iPhone plans may not stop at a single premium model. New reporting suggests the company is also exploring a clamshell-style foldable—often described as an “iPhone Flip”—as it looks to expand into multiple foldable form factors and compete more directly in the foldable smartphone market.
The key detail is that this smaller, flip-style foldable isn’t guaranteed to ever launch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the Power On newsletter, Apple’s thinking is straightforward: if its first foldable iPhone performs strongly enough, it could create real momentum for the category—enough to justify bringing out additional designs, sizes, and price points the way Apple has long done with standard iPhone models.
In other words, Apple appears to be treating its first foldable (expected to be a book-style “iPhone Fold”) as the test that determines everything that comes next. If demand proves that customers truly want foldable iPhones—and not just the novelty—then a clamshell model could become economically viable. If not, the “iPhone Flip” may remain an internal experiment.
A flip-style foldable would likely be positioned differently from a book-style foldable. It could offer less overall utility than a larger foldable device, but it may appeal to buyers who want a more compact phone that folds down for easier pocketability. It could also provide a more accessible entry point into foldables if it ends up priced lower than the iPhone Fold, while still delivering high-end performance using the latest internal hardware.
There have also been earlier reports pointing to a potential 2028 timeframe for a clamshell foldable iPhone. Even if Apple is exploring the idea now, timing will depend on factors like consumer demand, cost targets, durability, and how well Apple can differentiate each model without confusing buyers.
That last point matters because Apple typically avoids creating a product lineup where one device undermines another. Adding multiple foldable iPhones could risk cannibalizing sales across the range, especially if customers treat foldables as substitutes rather than upgrades. With ambitious sales expectations likely attached to Apple’s first foldable flagship, the company may decide that one foldable model is enough—at least until the market proves otherwise.
For now, the clearest takeaway is that a clamshell “iPhone Flip” is being considered, but its future hinges on how successful Apple’s first foldable iPhone turns out to be once it arrives.
