<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After years of rumours, it seems more likely than ever that Apple will introduce a foldable smartphone this year as part of a shake-up of its entire iPhone line-up this September.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>9News.com.au has received "dummy" mock-ups of the next iPhones, produced by factories in China using leaked specifications from within Apple's supply chain. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These "dummy" models are built to allow third-party case manufacturers to build accessories for the iPhone in readiness for its release.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> </span><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-design-and-technology-giant-canva-buys-two-ai-companies/391e510f-9787-40cd-a58a-8b1a57f0de2b" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney tech giant Canva snaps up two local AI companies"><strong><span>Sydney tech giant Canva snaps up two local AI companies</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Apple's biggest competitor in the smartphone business is Samsung, a company which released a "foldable" smartphone - the Samsung Galaxy Fold almost seven years ago, and as is always the case in this market, since then rumours of an Apple foldable phone have been consistent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, what those rumours lacked was any substantiation, something we now have with the existence of a dummy mock-up of a foldable iPhone device.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These mock-up models have reliably showcased the iPhone ahead of its release for many years now, meaning there's a strong reliability to this evidence.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/technology/trevor-long-first-apple-folding-smartphone-launches-this-year/691a71ff-74f0-4304-9eed-05ee55ee221c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Perhaps just as interesting, though not as headline-grabbing, is the lack of a standard iPhone 18 model. Last September, Apple released the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, along with the iPhone Air.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year, it appears Apple will switch its September launch event to the premium range of iPhones, with just an iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone to be released.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Both the Pro model devices look to continue the exact specifications of the previous generation; any improvement in the processing power, performance, battery life, and camera specifications is unable to be gleaned from these mock-up models.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/oracle-staff-lay-offs-thousands-of-staff-slashed-in-artificial-intelligence-strategy/c86febdd-b1bf-4b40-95cc-da8d8b808efb" rel="" target="_blank" title=" Oracle slashes 30,000 staff in brutal 6am email"><strong><span>Oracle slashes 30,000 staff in brutal 6am email</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An iPhone Ultra - a possible name for Apple's foldable phone - features the ultra-thin design and construction launched last year with the iPhone Air, but in two halves. Critically, it has a design more akin to a passport (with a similar aspect to the Microsoft Duo device) rather than a traditional smartphone that opens like a book.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This design allows the "opened" format to be an aspect ratio more useful for watching video content as well as operating apps side by side.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A dual-camera system appears on the back, a step up from what was launched on the iPhone Air last year, and there also appear to be speakers top and bottom, something the iPhone Air was criticised for not having.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>By the time Apple is able to announce this phone and bring it to market, Samsung will be on its eighth generation of Galaxy Fold. Meanwhile, Motorola continues its flip-folding Razr smartphone models, and Oppo just released its foldable Find N6 into Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year is shaping up as a battle of foldable products, and while Apple isn't first to market, far from it, like with many other products before it, the tech giant may well define a market segment and create a new demand which all its competitors may in fact benefit from.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Whatever the case, I'm now confident in calling it - Apple will release a foldable iPhone in 2026, what it's called we most certainly don't know.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>