The biggest twist? Face ID may not make the cut.
A side-mounted fingerprint sensor instead of Face ID
According to a new post on Weibo by well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is testing a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for its foldable iPhone. This would place biometric authentication on the power button, similar to what we’ve seen on several book-style Android foldables.
If accurate, this would mean no Face ID — and no under-display fingerprint scanner either. That might sound like a step backward for Apple, but it likely reflects the practical challenges of fitting Face ID’s complex sensor array into a thin, folding design.
For a first-generation foldable, Apple may be opting for reliability over ambition, choosing a proven solution that doesn’t compromise screen space or hinge engineering.
Apple’s biggest iPhone display yet
The leaks suggest the iPhone Fold will feature a 7.58-inch inner display that folds inward, making it the largest screen ever used on an iPhone. To preserve the immersive look of that display, Apple is reportedly testing an under-display selfie camera for the inner panel.
That would allow Apple to avoid a notch or punch-hole on the main screen — a key design priority for foldables that aim to feel more like tablets when opened.
When folded shut, the outer cover screen is expected to measure 5.25 inches and include a more conventional hole-punch camera cutout. This setup mirrors what many Android foldables already offer, balancing usability with design constraints.
A simpler camera setup, by design
On the back, the iPhone Fold is said to feature a dual-camera system, with at least one sensor hitting 48 megapixels. That’s less elaborate than Apple’s current Pro camera arrays, but the decision appears deliberate.
Foldables face constant trade-offs between thickness, weight, and durability. By keeping the camera system relatively simple, Apple can focus on areas that matter more for a first-gen device — like hinge longevity, structural strength, and overall comfort in the hand.
In other words, this may be less about camera dominance and more about nailing the fundamentals.
Why 2026 could be a turning point for the iPhone lineup
The foldable iPhone is expected to debut alongside an unusually busy Apple roadmap in 2026. Early reports point to a lineup that could include the iPhone 17e early in the year, followed by the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max later on — with the foldable positioned as a premium, experimental flagship.
There’s even speculation that Apple could brand the device as an iPhone Ultra, signalling that it sits above the standard Pro models rather than replacing them.
What this leak really tells us about Apple’s foldable strategy
Taken together, these details suggest Apple isn’t trying to outdo Android foldables on specs alone. Instead, it appears to be taking a cautious, methodical approach — prioritising usability, polish, and long-term reliability over flashy features.
Skipping Face ID may disappoint some fans, but if it leads to a thinner, lighter, and more durable foldable, many users may see it as a fair trade.
