🍎 Apple’s iPhone Fold is already getting praise behind the scenes
📱 Folks who have reportedly used the phone say it delivers on design
⚙️ The hinge durability and iPad-like multitasking are two key highlights
📸 One area on the back seems to be a letdown, however
📆 The iPhone Fold is expected to arrive in just a few weeks
There’s no question that the most anticipated folding phone of 2026 is the iPhone Fold, and now, we’re getting an idea of what it’s like to actually use.
Mark Gurman shared new insights in his Power On newsletter on what it’s like to use Apple’s first foldable iPhone. Gurman says he spoke to folks within Apple that have reportedly used the device, and it sounds like it delivers on a lot of what we expected, except for one key area.
According to Gurman’s sources, the iPhone Fold’s design and hinge durability are two of the biggest draws to the device. Its ability to easily fit in your pocket with its 5.5-inch screen seems to stand out, while the hinge mechanism sound like it’s well-built and ready to last for years down the road.
The sources also reportedly love the new software experience. Apple will include iOS 27 will some iPad-like multitasking sprinkled on top, and between split-screen and wider app layouts to fit the 7.8-inch display, it sounds like a game-changer for productivity on the go.
However, one key area seems to be a bit of a letdown, at least to some extent. While the iPhone Fold is reportedly great to use as a viewfinder for the camera (as is every folding phone), the lack of a telephoto camera is something that could turn off potential buyers. The iPhone Fold is rumored to only ship with a main camera and an ultra-wide. Apple will likely use the same digital crop tricks it uses on the iPhone Air to give you “lossless zoom,” but it won’t be as sharp as the optical zoom levels of the iPhone 18 Pro, which will come with a telephoto camera.
Gurman also believes that coupled with Touch ID and not Face ID, the $2,000+ price tag could lead to the iPhone Fold being perceived as less than the Pro lineup while costing more for a foldable design. That being said, there’s a lot of excitement around the iPhone Fold, especially thanks to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 which gave us our first taste of the passport-style design here in the US. It sparked more interest in the foldable market than any folding phone has done lately, generating even more excitement for Apple’s foray into the category.
The iPhone Fold is expected to arrive in just a few short weeks, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The company is rumored to host an event on September 9 to unveil the devices, where incoming CEO John Ternus will take the stage under his new title for the first time.
Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. He’s been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.