Apple is widely expected to venture into the arena of foldables in 2026, launching what may be the inaugural iPhone Fold come September. The success of a foldable's form factor hinges on one key part — its hinge — and in that Apple may be looking at significant advances. Recent leaks indicate the iPhone Fold may incorporate a Liquid Metal hinge, particularly since the hinge is a key vulnerability in foldable phones.
According to a leak from the Korean platform Naver shared by user “yeux1122,” Apple intends to use Liquid Metal for the hinge mechanism, while the main body is expected to feature a titanium construction.
While there is no official confirmation on this from the Cupertino-based tech major, the rumour has gained traction because Liquid Metal has appeared in Apple's past foldable-related patents.
Liquid Metal (an amorphous metal alloy) excels in components that endure repeated movement. In foldables, the hinge must withstand thousands of open/close cycles without degrading, loosening, or failing. Compared to stainless steel, Liquid Metal is lighter yet highly durable.
As per industry insiders, the iPhone Fold may measure just 4.5-4.8 mm in thickness in its open form (thinner than the iPhone Air), closing into a profile of 9-9.5 mm. If Apple is to make this slim a device, at the same time not compromise on its strength, Liquid Metal for the hinge could be critical.
iPhone Fold: Expected Features And Price
The iPhone Fold is tipped to feature a large inner display of approximately 7.8 inches (comparable to an iPad mini size) and a smaller outer cover display of about 5.5 inches. The primary display is expected to be crease-free as well.
Camera setup could include four lenses in total: dual 48MP rear cameras, plus separate front-facing cameras for folded and unfolded modes (as noted by leaker Digital Chat Station and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman).
Instead of Face ID, the iPhone Fold is expected to use Touch ID integrated into the side button — likely to simplify the design and reduce complexity/cost associated with implementing dual Face ID systems in a foldable form factor.
The premium form of the iPhone Fold means a premium pricing as well. According to Fubon Research, the device is expected to launch at around $2,399. This positions the iPhone Fold as likely the most expensive foldable on the market.
That price tag would exceed current high-end foldables from competitors, such as Google Pixel Pro Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Motorola Razr series, which generally range from about $700 to $2,000.
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