Apple‘s first foldable iPhone is still expected to debut later this year, but the company may already be looking beyond its first attempt. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning a second-generation foldable iPhone for release in 2027, just one year after the original model is expected to arrive. The device is reportedly codenamed V78 and will launch alongside the 20th-anniversary iPhone model. It looks like Apple might be going all in on foldables as a long-term product category rather than a one-off experiment.
The Cupertino giant has spent years watching rival smartphone makers refine foldable hardware. Samsung, Google, Honor, Oppo, and others have gone through multiple generations of designs, experimenting with everything from narrow book-style devices to wider tablet-like formats. Apple appears to have waited until the category matured before making its move.
Apple may have learned from Android’s foldable experiments
Based on leaks and replica models that have surfaced in recent months, Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to use a relatively short and wide design rather than the tall, narrow form factor seen on earlier Samsung Galaxy Z Fold devices. The device is rumored to feature a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner panel with a 4:3 screen format.
That layout mirrors much of Apple’s iPad lineup and could provide a more natural and familiar experience for multitasking, reading, and running apps side by side. At 7.8 inches, the inner display would also come close to the iPad mini‘s 8.3-inch screen, potentially giving users a tablet-like experience when the device is unfolded. Apple appears to be preparing the software side as well, encouraging developers to ensure their apps adapt smoothly to different screen sizes and display formats.
Even Samsung appears to be moving in the same direction
Interestingly, Samsung may be arriving at a similar conclusion. Rumors suggest the company is preparing a wider foldable design for next year’s lineup, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide potentially becoming the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8. A taller version could reportedly be positioned as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra instead.
Whether Apple’s foldable strategy pays off remains to be seen, but the company does not appear to be treating the device as a one-year experiment. A second-generation model already in development suggests Apple expects the iPhone Ultra to establish itself as a permanent tier within the iPhone lineup, with enough demand to support regular annual updates.