Apple could soon launch a clamshell-style foldable iPhone to rival Samsung’s Flip

The year 2026 is going to be a stacked one for Apple’s portfolio, but one of the most eagerly-awaited products is the upcoming foldable iPhone. Heavily rumored to debut in the Fall season this year alongside the iPhone 18 series, it would mark the first time that Apple is entering the foldable phone segment, one where Samsung currently reigns supreme.

A surprise shift

But it seems Apple is working on an even more ambitious idea, one that is more pocketable, and possibly, more pocket-friendly, as well. We’re talking about a clamshell-style foldable iPhone, one that would challenge the likes of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola’s Razr series.

“Now there’s another foldable device under consideration inside Apple labs (and it won’t come as a shock given what Motorola and Samsung Electronics Co. have already done): a square, clamshell-style foldable phone,” says a report by Bloomberg. This is the first time we are hearing about such a device, though the outlet warns that it could be canned or delayed.

So far, Samsung, Motorola, and Chinese labels such as Honor and Xiaomi have put clamshell-style foldable phones on the shelves. Reeling under the hot competition, Samsung even added a more affordable “Fan Edition” aka FE model to its Galaxy Z Flip series.

What to expect?

Motorola, on the other hand, offers its clamshell foldable phones in multiple flavors across different price points. Huawei, on the other hand, has even experimented a vertically-folding, yet pretty pocketable, format called the Pura X.

Now, the report of Apple potentially making a clamshell-style foldable phone is going to send shockwaves through the market. However, a lot hinges on the success of Apple’s initial book-style foldable phone set to arrive later this year.

Apple is already said to have solved the crease problem on its upcoming phone, and it would be interesting to see whether that display innovation eventually appears on a clamshell-type folding iPhone, too.

When exactly does the “iPhone Flip” come out? That remains unknown as the project is still in the early stages of development. But it certainly looks like Apple’s hardware team is going back to its experimenting ways.