According to well-known tipsters, Apple is currently testing a clamshell folding iPhone, which adds new evidence to previous rumors that the company is developing multiple folding phones. Although Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to have a book-like folio design and may be released in the fall of 2026, it is still unknown whether the clamshell device will eventually be brought to market.
A whistleblower from the Chinese social platform Weibo, "Dingjian Digital", recently posted that Apple may follow the lead of manufacturers such as Samsung and Motorola in launching clamshell foldable phones. This design is reminiscent of those iconic flip phones of the early 21st century. However, it is reported that Apple has not yet decided whether to put this product into mass production testing.
In fact, this is not the first time rumors about the iPhone adopting a clamshell design have appeared. Apple applied for related patents as early as ten years ago, and some of the earliest rumors also hinted that this would be Apple's development direction. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman also recently reported that Apple is still considering launching a clamshell iPhone.
From a practical perspective, both folding options have their own advantages. Book-folding devices can turn a phone into a tablet-sized screen, while clamshell folding can turn large-screen phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max into a pocket-friendly compact size. The clamshell device will also feature an external display, perfect for displaying notification information, and can integrate with iOS's widget ecosystem, allowing users to get at-a-glance information from their favorite apps.
Despite the practicality of the clamshell design, Gurman also noted that Apple may eventually abandon this idea. Apple will likely wait and see how the first foldable iPhone is received before deciding whether to move forward with another foldable product. In addition to the foldable iPhone, Apple is also expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the fall of 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 will not be released until the spring of 2027.