Apple May Challenge Samsung’s Flip Lineup with Clamshell Foldable iPhone

It’s no secret that Apple is entering the foldable market with a book-style iPhone Fold this year. However, the company is also reportedly considering a clamshell-style device, currently referred to as the iPhone Flip. This will definitely put Apple directly in competition with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series and shake up the foldable space.

iPhone Flip may compete with Galaxy Z Flip models

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring a square, clamshell-style foldable phone. It could arrive after the first iPhone Fold launches, which is expected in September 2026. However, don’t get your hopes too high just yet, as it is far from guaranteed to reach the market.

It looks like the Cupertino giant first wants to test the market with its book-style foldable first, and then bring new form factors at a later date. “Apple is betting that its first foldable iPhone will be successful enough to generate real demand for the category and that customers will want additional shapes and sizes, much as they have with traditional slab-style iPhones,” said Gurman.

Surprisingly, the upcoming iPhone Fold may not follow the tall, narrow design language of Samsung’s Fold models. Earlier reports suggest that Apple is going for a wider, more square layout so users get a nearly tablet-like experience when unfolded. The device may measure 120.6 mm in height and 167.6 mm in width when open (85.6 mm wide when folded). In comparison, Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 158.4 mm in height and 143.2 mm in width when open (72.8 mm wide when folded). As for screen sizes, the iPhone Fold may feature a 7.76-inch main screen and a 5.49-inch cover display.

However, Samsung is also reportedly working on a Galaxy Wide Fold that could debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8. This new model may feature a 7.6-inch inner screen and a 5.4-inch outer display similar to Apple’s iPhone Fold. The Korean firm reportedly plans to make around 1 million units of the Wide Fold this year.