In my view, a surprising prediction is that a folding iPhone will become a reality before the Apple Car project is revived from its current state of dormancy in the research and development phase, which seems to be at a standstill in the Walled Garden. I am more inclined to believe that we will see a foldable iPhone as early as next year. The whispers about the iPhone 17 Air, the precursor to the folding iPhone, are gaining momentum and frequency. Similarly, discussions about the potential features of a folding iPhone that would succeed it are also becoming more prevalent.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a reputable analyst whose predictions have been accurate for past iPhone releases, has shared valuable insights about Apple’s first foray into the folding iPhone market. Although nothing is set in stone until Apple executives confirm it, the emerging details provide a foundation for speculation about what a folding iPhone from Apple might look like.

Kuo begins by addressing the potential price point of the folding iPhone, suggesting it could fall within the range of $2,000 to $2,500 at launch. While this may seem steep, it’s worth noting that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 start at $1,800, and the final cost often exceeds $2,000 when considering the need for at least 256GB of storage, which adds $100 to the base price of 128GB.

Kuo then delves into the hardware specifications, suggesting that the folding iPhone will adopt a book-style design rather than a flip-phone style. The internal display may feature a 7.8-inch “crease-free” screen, accompanied by a 5.5-inch external display, which, although smaller than Samsung’s offering, could be wider, making the cover screen more user-friendly. (The current Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 generation has a screen that I find too narrow.) The device’s thickness when open could range from 4 mm to 4.8 mm, potentially benefiting from the groundwork laid by the iPhone 17 Air.

The TouchID feature, which was previously discontinued, may make a comeback as a side button, similar to the implementation in the Z Fold 6 and the recently released Oppo Find N5, allowing users to bypass the lock screen with a simple touch. Kuo also mentions that Face ID might be “absent” due to constraints related to thickness and internal space. The camera system is expected to feature a dual-lens setup, potentially with only one front-facing camera, which I prefer for video chats over the internal front-facing camera approach used by Samsung.

According to Kuo, the final specifications will be confirmed by the second quarter of this year, with the project officially commencing in the third quarter and production starting as early as the end of the year. Plans for the second-generation iPhone foldable are also underway, with mass production slated for 2027. This is an exciting time for iPhone enthusiasts, particularly for those who have been envious of the advancements in the Android realm.

For now, we can expect the iPhone 17 Air to make its debut this year, alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 flagship lineup this fall. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to boast a slim design, measuring about 5.5 mm in thickness, potentially paving the way for the folding iPhone that may follow.