iPhone Flip or foldable iPad could arrive as early as 2027 Rumors about a possible Apple foldable have been circulating for some time now, but new information may give us the most solid release prediction yet.

According to @Tech_Reve's post to X, a source has confirmed that Apple's first foldable could be released in 2027. The source also claims that panels for the rumored foldable iPad mini will be mass-produced in 2026, meaning that it could be released in 2026, although 2027 seems more likely. This new information is consistent with information we have heard from other sources regarding this date.

Apple was initially rumored to be holding off on developing a foldable iPad until the switch to an OLED screen was complete. For this reason, many sources stated that we would not see a foldable iPad for at least a few years. On the other hand, there were rumors of a foldable phone in 2025 that would be a mix of the iPad and iPhone (via @mingchikuo), but that now seems unlikely.

However, according to Tech_Reve, this 2027 schedule could be moved up due to several factors. The main reason is Apple's recent drop in revenue projections, which were lower than Wall Street's projections (via Barrons). Apple also experienced a revenue decline in China, where it faces serious competition from Huawei. Therefore, the release of the folding model may be the boost Apple needs to get its sales up again.

We also got some other information on how the phone will work. Presumably Apple will use an 8-inch screen, similar in size to the 8.3-inch iPad mini, but larger than the 7.6-inch inner display of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5, which provides a 7.6-inch display when opened. There are also rumors about a feature that would protect the inner screen by allowing the phone to close slightly when dropped.

Apple's plans to launch a foldable phone do not seem to have fully solidified, and we do not have much idea what such a device would actually look like. Some recently discovered patents even suggest that Apple is considering an expandable display device rather than a foldable one. However, the existence of a patent does not necessarily mean that a device will be built using the idea.

At this point, however, everything we know about Apple's overall plans for a foldable phone is based on rumors. We have seen leaked information about how it will be designed and heard reports of a partnership with Samsung regarding the manufacture of a flexible screen. However, nothing is known for sure until Apple officially announces such a device, and from this new rumor, it seems that even the best-case scenario is at least two years away.