Apple is reportedly working on a foldable iPhone similar to the Galaxy Z Flip, with a presumed launch date set for 2026

Rumors surrounding a foldable device from Apple have been circulating on the internet for ages now. The Cupertino giant is no stranger to being a late adopter of certain technologies, especially those that might be deemed immature. However, that certainly hasn't stopped the company from experimenting with the idea. If a recent report from The Information is to be believed, Apple is hard at work on a foldable iPhone that will boast a clamshell design, similar to Samsung's Z Flip (curr. $1099 on Amazon) and Moto's Razr series.

This information aligns perfectly with a recent Digitimes report that stated a 'top-down' folding iPhone is in development at Apple. According to The Information's paywalled report spotted by MacRumors, the agency claimed that the project is picking up pace at Apple, and has been given the codename of 'V68'. Further, the company has also been in touch with suppliers in Asia, which further indicates that this project may actually end up seeing the light of day. 

Previous rumors by reputed analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo have claimed that Apple has been exploring different form factors for its first foldable device, one of which appears to be a foldable MacBook with a giant 20-inch screen (13 or 14 inches when folded) and an expected launch date of 2027 at the earliest. According to The Information, however, there is a possibility that Apple's aforementioned foldable iPhone might hit shelves in 2026, which would precede the foldable MacBook. 

Apple's lack of enthusiasm for a foldable device is to be expected, considering the company's stringent stance on quality control. Further, the practical utility of a foldable smartphone has been frequently questioned by critics of the technology. If and when Apple ultimately comes out with a foldable product, it will be rather interesting to see how the company justifies the necessity of a folding device, rather than it being dismissed as a mere gimmick.