iPhone Fold: New details emerge on the design of Apple’s first foldable smartphone

The anticipation for Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone segment seems to have reached a critical phase. For years rumors and patents have circulated, but the latest leaks online offer a decidedly more concrete picture of what could be the most talked-about device of next autumn.

According to the well-known informant Instant Digital on the platform Weibo, the launch of the so-called iPhone Fold is expected for September of this year, accompanied by engineering and stylistic choices decidedly original for the Cupertino giant.

iPhone Fold, new details on buttons and the design of the Camera Plateau

One of the most interesting aspects emerging from the recent leaks concerns the ergonomics of the device, which appears deeply influenced by the arrangement of internal components.

Unlike the traditional iPhone lineup, the foldable model should feature the volume buttons positioned on the upper right edge, recalling a setup already seen on iPad mini.

This choice would not be merely aesthetic, but dictated by a precise technical necessity: the motherboard would be housed on the right side of the device and engineers would have opted for this solution in order to avoid routing connection cables to the left side.

Consequently, the left flank of the smartphone would be completely free of buttons, offering a clean and linear profile. All physical interactivity would be concentrated on the right, where the power button (which would integrate the Touch ID sensor for biometric recognition) and the Camera Control button would be located.

Thus, a device is taking shape to be primarily managed with one hand or with specific gestures, optimizing space for the hinges and displays.

High-contrast aesthetics and camera module

On the visual design front, rumors suggest an approach that leans toward color contrast and recognizability. The rear photography module is expected to host a dual camera, accompanied by a LED flash and microphone, all enclosed in a raised “island” that would recall the style of the iPhone Air.

A distinctive detail concerns the finish of this module. Sources claim that it will be entirely black, creating a strong visual separation from the chassis, rather than being coordinated with the color of the phone.

Regarding colors, the initial launch should include two variants, including a white version that would further emphasize the contrast with the dark camera module.

Regarding the internal display, we should find a single ‘punch-hole’ front camera, i.e., inserted into a small hole in the panel, abandoning therefore bulkier solutions to maximize the usable screen area.

The novelty does not stop at the exterior. The internal structure of the iPhone Fold would be characterized by a “stacked” design, a solution necessary to best manage the compact volumes of a foldable.

This architecture would allow to carve out living space to integrate a large battery, addressing one of the most frequent criticisms leveled at many devices in this category: poor battery life.