Apple is reportedly working on an iPhone Flip; could launch in 2028

After years of whispers and patent leaks, Apple may finally be ready to embrace the foldable future. A recent ET News report suggests that the company is developing a clamshell-style iPhone, unofficially dubbed the iPhone Flip, with plans to launch it in 2028.

According to the report, this upcoming model will mirror the design of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7, folding vertically into a compact square that unfolds into a full-sized smartphone. It’s expected to join Apple’s other foldable project, the book-style iPhone Fold, which could arrive in 2027 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and, possibly, the second rendition of the iPhone Air.

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Together, these foldable devices would mark Apple’s long-awaited entry into a product category that has already matured in the Android landscape.

A new era of iPhone design

For more than a decade, the iPhone’s design language has evolved carefully, not dramatically. The iPhone 17 series offered the most noticeable refresh in years, but a foldable iPhone would represent a complete rethink; one that blends portability, playfulness, and premium design. Something Apple hasn’t fully ventured into yet in the smartphone space.

The iPhone Flip could become Apple’s most fashion-forward device yet, catering to users who treat their phone as an accessory as much as a gadget. Compact, tactile, and instantly recognisable, it might bridge Apple’s minimalist philosophy with the expressive versatility that’s defined the modern foldable era. If Apple brings its trademark precision and polish to the hinge, the Flip could easily redefine what “premium” looks and feels like.

But the excitement comes with equal pressure. The iPhone 17 Pro’s early teething issues, from software hiccups to colour-fade complaints, show that even Apple’s pursuit of perfection isn’t immune to missteps. Add the complexity of a folding display, and the challenge only grows.

Still, the appetite for change is strong. After years of steady iteration, Apple fans are ready for something bold again. Are you excited for a foldable iPhone and do you think it can compete with established players in the market? Drop a comment with your thoughts.