According to Android Authority, new leaks have revealed the exact dimensions for Apple’s rumored iPhone Fold, showing it will have an unconventional, more square-like shape compared to Samsung’s taller Galaxy Z Fold devices. The report states Apple is expected to announce the device by late 2026, though widespread availability might not stabilize until mid-to-late 2027 due to production challenges. This sets up a direct battle with Samsung, which is expected to continue its Galaxy Z Fold line with the Fold 8 around the same timeframe. The key difference is in the form factor: Apple’s approach creates a different aspect ratio for both the outer and inner screens.
The Battle of the Shapes
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just about who makes a folding screen first. It’s a fundamental philosophical split. Samsung’s Fold line is built on the idea of a phone that unfolds into a narrow tablet—great for scrolling and some multi-tasking. Apple’s rumored square-ish design, though? That looks like a device that wants to be a true mini-tablet or even a small laptop replacement when open. Think about app layouts, video aspect ratios, even how you hold the thing. They’re solving different problems. And that’s fascinating. It means the “best” foldable won’t just be about specs, but about which shape fits your life.
What This Means for Everyone Else
For users, this is ultimately good news. Real competition breeds innovation and, eventually, better prices. But there’s a huge “wait and see” factor here. A 2026-2027 timeline is an eternity in tech. Who knows what the market will look like then? For developers, Apple’s square canvas presents both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s a new screen real estate to design for, different from Android foldables. Will they bother, especially if initial sales are low due to Apple’s notorious production ramp-up issues? Probably. It’s Apple. The ecosystem follows.
For enterprises and markets, Apple’s entry finally legitimizes the foldable form factor in a way Android brands haven’t quite managed. When the iPhone goes foldable, IT departments will have to take it seriously as a potential productivity device. This could accelerate adoption in business contexts, especially if Apple integrates deep desktop-class app features into that square display. Basically, Samsung created the category, but Apple might be the one to define its mainstream use case. The next few years in phone design just got a lot more interesting, didn’t they?
