Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027

So including software that would mean:

Fall - Pro phone + delayed software features from last Spring

Spring - regular phone + delayed software features from last Fall

After using a z Fold 6 for a month, I’m not buying another iPhone unless it’s foldable.

Bring back the mini.

1. Staggering a release like this is a typical move to sell the more expensive units first to those who don’t want to wait longer to purchase.

2. The fact that they have to split up the release because there are so many different models feels like they are trying to solve a problem that shouldn’t be there in the first place.

OK, let me do this one more time...

Over the last few rounds of news, I've been very basically drawing up and then modelling the rumoured iPhone fold. This latest article ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/04/14/iphone-fold-display-resolutions-cameras/') detailed information on the front and rear facing cameras as well as specified a resolution and more precise screen sizes.

With that info I got the screen sizes and ratios pretty confidently locked down (this is ~version 3). I then worked my way outward with the bezels to get the frame to match internally and externally. I totally speculated on the hinge design, button layouts and general aesthetic - but it's somewhat based on the iPhone 17 design rumours.

My personal reason for wasting so much time doing this is I desperately wanted to see how this 5.49" external screen would compare to my iPhone mini, Just like I did when I got fed up of waiting and found a dummy iPhone 12 mini unit on Taobao! ('https://www.macrumors.com/2020/07/05/5-4-inch-iphone12-vs-se-7/') I apparently care very deeply about the size of my phone.

Anyway all that said - below is an update to the animated gif that compares an iPhone 16 pro max silhouette and iPhone mini silhouette to the rumoured iPhone fold. Again this is based on the rumour the other day.


In addition I tweaked my last 3D model and this was a good opportunity to learn how to render animations in Unreal Engine:





I'll post some more images and comparisons with a 15 Pro max and mini in another thread ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/rumoured-iphone-fold-size-concept-drawing-and-renders.2456447/') for anyone interested, so as not to clutter this news article with more than I need to.

I remember the days when I was hooked to the rumors, keynotes, and new devices. Now, I just find myself sitting at the Genius Bar with my buggy iPhone 16 Pro waiting for a pretty young thing to come along and show me a better time.

In all seriousness though, Apple better consider hard and fast their strategies. Lots of Apple users are ready for the next big thing even if that means leaving the Apple ecosystem. Myself included.