Fake copies of Apple's proposed folding phones set to be officially released next September have started appearing among users, thanks to 3D printing, according to a report published by the tech site "Mac World".
The report indicates that a user developed a 3D printing file containing a design for the folding "iPhone Fold" based on the leaks and information that have emerged about the phone so far.
While the copy is not completely identical to what Apple intends to officially release, it does give users a clearer idea of the phone's shape, size, and how to hold it.
The design suggests that the company chose a form factor for the phone when opened and closed that is closer to "iPad Mini" tablets, and this approach differs significantly from folding Android phones, which come with a more elongated design to mimic conventional phones.
The site anticipates that Apple will offer glimpses of this new size for phones at its developer conference, which is typically held in June each year, with potential indications in the test codes of the company's new system "iOS 27".
Apple's folding phone is eagerly anticipated as it represents the biggest change in iPhone design since the introduction of the "Pro" and "Pro Max" sizes in 2018.
Separate reports indicate that the company will launch 3 new devices next September, namely: "iPhone 18 Pro," "iPhone 18 Pro Max," and the folding "iPhone," following the postponement of the release of the second generation of its slim devices "iPhone Air" due to weak demand.
As for the standard "iPhone 18," the company intends to launch it separately at the beginning of 2027, which was the time initially set for the release of the budget devices "iPhone 17 E" and "iPhone 16 E."
Being Late
Apple has been significantly late in launching its folding phone, arguably more than 6 years behind competitors like "Samsung," "Huawei," and "Google."
"Samsung" launched the first generation of its folding phone "Galaxy Fold" in 2019 along with "Galaxy Flip," another form of folding phones.
Over the past years, companies have been able to significantly improve their folding phones, now featuring hinges with a lifespan of up to 500,000 times in "Galaxy Z Fold 7," the latest from Samsung according to what the company published on its official site, in addition to launching a phone that folds with 3 moving screens instead of just two.
Some experts believe that Apple's delay in launching its folding phone is due to its desire to offer an inner screen that does not show any folding marks, so it looks seamless as one piece according to a separate report from "PC Magazine."
The report indicates that "Apple" has intervened significantly in the details of developing the inner screen even though Samsung is responsible for providing it, making the screens of iPhone phones unique despite Samsung being the main supplier.
Therefore, experts expect the price of the folding "iPhone" to reach $2400, surpassing the prices of other folding phones, as Galaxy Z Fold 7 is priced at two thousand dollars and "Pixel 10 Fold" at $1800.
