When Folded, Apple’s Foldable Looks Compact, And Its Camera Bump Still Dominates The Design

Author: Qoo Media

A leaked dummy video of Apple’s foldable iPhone is drawing attention because it points to a design that looks far more extreme than a standard iPhone. The model appears unusually slim when unfolded, yet it still carries a prominent camera bump and a button layout that does not match the usual iPhone pattern.

The clearest numbers in the leak are the thickness figures. According to Notebookcheck’s summary of a hands-on look by Max Tech, the device measures 11 mm when folded and drops to 5.5 mm when opened fully.

That 5.5 mm figure is notable because it is said to be 0.1 mm thinner than the iPhone Air, which is listed at 5.6 mm. In other words, the foldable design is not only aiming for a new form factor, but also for a level of thinness that places it among Apple’s slimmest concepts so far.

A thin body with a very different shape

When closed, the dummy unit looks more compact than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It appears easier to hold with one hand, although the folded profile may still feel bulky in a pocket.

Once unfolded, the device shifts into a layout that Notebookcheck describes as resembling a smaller iPad mini. The report says it is slightly shorter and narrower than the iPad mini, while still giving off the impression of a compact tablet rather than a conventional phone.

That comparison becomes more striking when the iPad mini itself is considered. The tablet is said to be 6.3 mm thick, which would make this foldable iPhone even thinner when open.

The inner display is built for a tablet-like experience

The leak also highlights the inner screen, which seems to be one of the most important parts of the design. Its width is said to be roughly similar to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but its height is much greater.

Notebookcheck notes that the inner display reaches 111.5 mm in height. With bezels that appear very thin on the dummy unit, the device could deliver a viewing experience that feels closer to a small tablet than to a standard foldable phone.

That layout suggests Apple may be aiming beyond simple novelty. If the design is accurate, the foldable iPhone would be shaped for media use and productivity in a form that can still collapse into a much smaller object.

The camera bump remains a major compromise

The rear design shows one of the biggest trade-offs. The dummy unit features a large camera module that stands out strongly against the extremely thin main body.

Notebookcheck describes the “camera plateau” as visually similar to the style used by Pixel devices. The same report says the rear camera area looks larger than the one on the iPhone Air.

This contrast makes the design compromise easy to see. A very thin folded body leaves limited room inside, so the camera system likely becomes one of the components that needs to dominate the rear section.

Buttons shift into an unusual position

Another detail that stands out is the placement of the physical controls. On the dummy model, the volume buttons are not located where they usually sit on iPhones.

Instead, they are shown near the upper-right corner. The Camera Control button is still present, but it sits lower on the frame so it can be reached more easily.

That unusual arrangement suggests the folding structure forces Apple to rethink internal spacing. A device that opens and closes in a different orientation needs controls placed with that movement in mind, not just with standard phone ergonomics.

Touch ID may return, and stereo speakers are still part of the plan

The hands-on video also raises the possibility of Touch ID coming back. There is no official confirmation, but the detail is interesting because Apple’s premium iPhones have been centered on Face ID in recent years.

If Touch ID does appear, it could make sense in a foldable device. A fingerprint sensor may offer more flexibility across different use cases and orientations, especially if facial recognition is not always the most practical option.

The dummy model also shows stereo speakers placed at two diagonal corners when the device is unfolded. Notebookcheck suggests that setup could help preserve a stereo effect regardless of how the device is held.

Even so, the device remains only a design model or dummy unit, so the details should still be treated as early information rather than final specifications. The leak nevertheless paints a clearer picture of Apple’s foldable direction, with an 11 mm folded body, a 5.5 mm unfolded profile, a large camera bump, relocated volume buttons, and a possible return of Touch ID.

Source: www.notebookcheck.net
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