New details from a reliable leaker suggest that Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone will drop Face ID entirely. Instead, Apple may bring back Touch ID in a side-mounted sensor, aiming to keep the device slim while still offering secure biometric unlocking.
iPhone Fold to feature under-panel and HIAA displays
According to Digital Chat Station, Apple’s foldable will include a 7.58-inch internal display using under-panel camera (UPC) tech likely to hide the front-facing camera beneath the screen without a visible cutout. Samsung recently abandoned UPC in its foldables, but Apple seems to be moving forward with it.
The outer display is expected to measure 5.25 inches and use hole-in-active-area (HIAA) technology. This same display tech is rumored for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models as Apple looks to shrink front-facing camera cutouts.
Touch ID returns to reduce bulk
Face ID, while secure and fast, requires a bulky sensor array. To avoid that extra thickness, Apple appears to be favoring a side-mounted Touch ID sensor for the iPhone Fold. That move mirrors earlier iPads and some Android foldables, which rely on fingerprint authentication to maintain thinner profiles.
This choice aligns with Apple’s reported goal of making its first foldable the thinnest in its class. Removing the Face ID module could shave down key internal components especially when space is already tight in foldable designs.
iPhone Fold camera specs and hardware expectations
Here’s what’s expected so far:
- 7.58-inch foldable inner screen (UPC tech)
- 5.25-inch cover display (HIAA tech)
- Dual 48 MP rear cameras
- Side-mounted Touch ID sensor
- No Face ID hardware
The device is still about a year away, so final specs could change. But if Apple sticks to this plan, it will mark the first major iPhone to ship without Face ID since its 2017 debut.
Apple’s foldable may launch in 2026
While no official name has been confirmed, the iPhone Fold (or whatever Apple ends up calling it) is expected sometime in 2026. This timeline puts it behind competitors like Samsung, but Apple may be prioritizing polish and durability over being first to market. If the leaked design holds, the company’s first foldable could stand out not for its flexibility alone but for its slim, practical form.
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