Apple’s long-rumored foldable phone is drawing fresh attention after new dummy images surfaced online, suggesting the device could look much wider than most foldables on the market. The leak points to a design that opens into something closer to a mini tablet than a tall, narrow smartphone, which could mark a major shift in Apple’s approach to the foldable category.
The device is widely described as the iPhone Fold, though some reports also call it the iPhone Ultra. The latest images, shared by well-known Apple leaker Sonny Dickson on X, were presented as “Exclusive First Dummies of what the final size of the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will look like.”
A wider foldable shape stands out
The dummy unit shown in metallic pink is not a final product, but it offers an early look at Apple’s possible direction. Compared with many foldable phones that prioritize a tall outer display, the leaked model appears broader and less elongated.
That wider silhouette matters because it changes how the device may feel in daily use. When opened, the form resembles an iPad mini laid on its side, which could make reading, split-screen use, and media viewing feel more natural than on square-style foldables.
Why the design matters for Apple
Most current foldables turn a regular phone into a display that is close to square. Apple appears to be aiming for a different ratio, one that may better suit articles, documents, videos, and multitasking without forcing users into an awkward screen shape.
This approach could help the iPhone Fold stand apart from competitors, but it also brings technical challenges. A wider foldable has to balance thickness, hinge durability, battery placement, and Apple’s usual premium build standards.
The most notable design points from the leak are:
- The foldable body appears wider than typical foldable phones.
- The open display seems closer to a compact tablet layout.
- When closed, the device looks shorter than the dummy iPhone Pro models.
- It may still fit in a jeans pocket if Apple keeps the thickness under control.
Comparison with iPhone 18 Pro models
The dummy images also show the foldable beside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. In that comparison, the foldable looks much shorter when shut, even though its overall body is clearly different from a standard candy-bar phone.
The Pro models, meanwhile, seem close to the design language of current iPhones. If the leak proves accurate, Apple may be preparing two very different product paths in the same launch cycle: a familiar flagship update and a genuinely new foldable category.
What the latest reports say about the launch window
Timing remains uncertain. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in his Power On newsletter that Apple is still on track to announce the device in the first half of September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
But other reports show a different picture. DigiTimes, as cited by MacRumors, said foldable production has slipped by around one to two months. The report added that mass production, which was originally expected to begin in June, has now moved to early August.
Key timing details from the reports
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Expected launch period | 2026 |
| Possible announcement timing | First half of September |
| Mass production start | Early August, according to one report |
| Earlier production plan | June |
| Main uncertainty | Final validation and supply chain timing |
Even with those mixed signals, Apple has not reportedly sent any official delay notice to suppliers. That keeps the device in a watchful state, where production and launch plans may still shift as testing continues.
Why the leak is drawing so much attention
If the leaked design is accurate, Apple would not simply be joining the foldable market. It would be bringing a new format that looks more like a pocketable mini tablet than the typical fold-first smartphone.
That distinction could matter a lot for users who want a larger screen without carrying a full tablet. It also explains why this leak has become one of the most discussed Apple rumors in recent months, especially as interest in foldables continues to grow across the smartphone industry.
For now, the iPhone Fold remains unconfirmed, but the dummy images and supply-chain reports have made one thing clear: Apple’s first foldable may not follow the same design rules that defined the rest of the market.
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