Apple’s first foldable iPhone is shaping up to be an ultra-premium device, and early rumors suggest it won’t come cheap. Current estimates peg the iPhone Fold price at around $2,399, positioning it squarely in the high-end foldable phone category. At that level, buyers will expect cutting-edge hardware, standout build quality, and a design that feels unmistakably “flagship” in every way.
One of the biggest talking points from the latest leak is a potential trade-off that could surprise long-time iPhone users: the iPhone Fold prototype is rumored to skip Face ID. The reason isn’t performance—it’s design. The claim is that removing the TrueDepth camera components helps Apple shave down thickness and better fit the internal engineering required for a foldable form factor. Instead of facial recognition, the device may rely on a side-mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor for authentication, similar to what Apple has used on certain iPad models.
Display details have also shifted slightly from earlier chatter. The newest information points to a 7.58-inch inner screen paired with a 5.25-inch cover display. If accurate, that would make the iPhone Fold large enough to function like a compact tablet when opened, while still aiming for pocket-friendly usability when closed—one of the core promises of foldable phones.
While Face ID may be missing, the design reportedly won’t use a notch or a pill-shaped cutout either. Instead, the prototype is said to feature a punch-hole camera solution, alongside an under-display camera element. If Apple can pull this off cleanly, it could deliver a more immersive screen experience than many current foldables—especially for movies, reading, and productivity apps.
On the hardware side, the iPhone Fold prototype is rumored to include a vapor chamber cooling system, which hints at a high-performance chipset and sustained workloads being part of the plan. But adding advanced cooling inside a thin foldable body also increases engineering pressure, which may be another reason Apple is exploring compromises like dropping Face ID.
Camera specs mentioned in the leak include a 48MP dual-camera setup, along with a combination of in-screen and punch-hole camera components for selfies and video calls. While final camera performance will come down to Apple’s image processing and sensor choices, a 48MP dual configuration would align with what buyers expect from a premium iPhone-tier device.
The hinge, as with any foldable, appears to be the make-or-break component. The rumor suggests Apple is treating hinge durability and a minimal (or even crease-free) display fold as top priorities. To get there, the company may use liquid metal materials and a tough amorphous metal glass composite to reinforce the hinge mechanism. If these materials are implemented effectively, they could help the iPhone Fold compete on long-term durability—one of the biggest concerns consumers still have about foldable smartphones.
There’s also chatter that Samsung may be exploring a foldable phone with similar dimensions, though nothing has been confirmed. For now, the bigger story is Apple’s apparent direction: a very expensive foldable iPhone designed to be thin, premium, and durable, even if it means rethinking signature features like Face ID.
As with any early prototype leak, details can change before launch. But if the $2,399 price point holds, Apple will need to deliver a foldable experience that feels truly next-gen—especially for users who won’t accept flagship compromises at ultra-flagship pricing.
