While Apple fans around the world are already marking September 2026 on their calendars as the expected launch window for the next generation of foldable devices from Cupertino, we are finally getting concrete details about what lies ahead. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to arrive with a series of design and hardware innovations, according to new information leaked from the Weibo account known as Digital Chat Station, which is considered fairly reliable when it comes to Apple rumors.
According to the new post, Apple is developing a device described as a “wide foldable,” a term referring to a book-style foldable device with a horizontal fold and a large internal display. The reports indicate that the device places top priority on thinness, meaning minimal thickness, and that several key design decisions were made in order to reduce the overall thickness of the chassis.
The most significant decision made in favor of thinness is the use of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor positioned on the side of the device. The leaker claims that Apple chose not to include 3D Face ID hardware or an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor, as both systems add internal bulk and complicate efforts to reduce the device’s thickness.
The post further claims that the hinge of the foldable device has been engineered to an exceptionally high standard, with its design described as “very strong.” Although no deeper technical details are provided, this report aligns with long-standing industry expectations that Apple places strong emphasis on hinge durability and on reducing the crease in the display, areas in which foldable devices have historically faced criticism.
The leaker notes that the current engineering prototype includes a 7.58-inch internal display equipped with an under-panel front camera (UPC – Under-Panel Camera). This technology allows the camera to sit beneath the display layer, eliminating the need for visible cutouts or “holes” when the camera is not in use.
For the external display, the leaker claims that Apple is using a 5.25-inch panel with a punch-hole camera embedded using an HIAA (Hole-In-Active-Area) design, a technique that minimizes the amount of inactive screen space around the cutout. It is unclear what will happen to Apple’s Dynamic Island on either display.
The post also claims that the device will feature a dual rear camera system with 48-megapixel resolution, described as having a “large base,” which suggests a physically larger sensor size than pixel count alone would indicate.
Digital Chat Station added that the foldable smartphone market is expected to “reawaken” in the coming year, pointing to renewed momentum after a period of slow growth and incremental updates. The leaker reiterated a previous claim that Samsung is also testing a new wide-format foldable model.