Apple is already hard at work on the next stage of its line of flexible devices. The second generation of the foldable iPhone, which hasn’t even had its first model launched yet, is in full development and is expected to hit the market in 2027.
Information obtained by Mark Gurman, from Bloomberg, reveals that the device has the internal codename V78. This launch should take place alongside an iPhone commemorating the line’s 20th anniversary, signaling that the foldable category will be a constant presence in the Cupertino giant’s portfolio.
Apple’s cautious approach and calculated bet on foldable future
The Californian company has monitored the market closely for years, observing the challenges faced by manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, Honor and Oppo. Issues such as visible folds, display durability, software inconsistency and inappropriate screen aspect ratios were thoroughly analyzed. Apple decided to enter the segment only when hardware technology reached a level of maturity that would not compromise the reputation of its products.
The fact that the second generation was in development long before the launch of the original model indicates a clear strategy. Apple is not just “testing the waters” but rather establishing a new product segment with a long-term timeline and a well-defined roadmap for the future.
Details of the format chosen for the new foldable iPhone and its implications
Based on recent leaks and demonstration models that have circulated, the first foldable iPhone is expected to have a shorter and wider design, different from the tall and narrow format initially adopted by the Galaxy Z Fold. Expected specifications include a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal panel, with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
This proportion was not chosen at random; it is identical to the one used in Apple’s iPad line, which will make it easier to adapt existing applications and provide a more familiar multitasking and reading experience for tablet users. At 7.8 inches, the internal display approaches the size of the iPad mini (8.3 inches), positioning the folded device as a compact pocket tablet.
Apple is also actively collaborating with developers to ensure apps work seamlessly across different screen sizes and formats. This robust software infrastructure preparation reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to the flexible device category.
Similar vision among tech giants for flexible devices
It’s interesting to note that Samsung appears to have reached a similar conclusion independently. There are rumors that the South Korean company is developing a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, with a wider format, which could become the standard in the line, while a taller version would be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
When two of the industry’s leading companies converge on the same type of design after years of experimentation, it suggests that the market has finally found an answer to what consumers are really looking for in a foldable smartphone.