When Apple Starts Folding: iPhone Fold’s Alternative Approach

I just saw the leaked CAD drawings of Apple’s first folding iPhone, and honestly, it looks kind of wild. It’s short and wide when closed—almost like a passport—and opens up into what feels like a mini iPad. 

The big rumor is that Apple finally fixed the crease, and if that’s true, it changes everything.

From the photos shared by famous leaker @iceuniverse, the iPhone Fold reminds me a lot of the original Pixel Fold. Closed, it looks like a little passport, which is fun to hold. Open it up, and you get a nice 4:3 screen that feels just right for reading, browsing, or watching videos.

This screen ratio is great for media because videos don’t have huge black bars, and everything looks more natural.

There’s a trade-off, though. To make the inner screen perfect, the phone has to be a bit wide. That means it might feel chunky in your pocket, and holding it with one hand could be tricky. Even using both hands might feel awkward for some.

Still, pocket-friendly phones often feel cozy and easy to use. If Apple focuses on the unfolded screen, this 4:3 ratio makes a lot of sense. The big question is how much you’ll use the outer display versus the main screen.

For some people, the wider size might be annoying. For others, it could be exactly what they’re looking for.

Funny enough, the first foldable was almost 4:3—you just had to rotate the device. A survey even said most people were browsing rather than watching media, which helps explain why Samsung chose a different aspect ratio back then.

I find it very understandable that Samsung offers multiple sizes, depending on how people use their devices. For content consumption, 4:3 works really well, while slightly taller ratios like 9:10 can feel bigger and nicer to look at.

Google’s first fold had something special, and if Samsung were to release a fold with a similar 4:3-like experience but with significantly thinner internal bezels, I would buy it immediately.

According to ETNews, Samsung is preparing a new Wide Fold, and its design closely mirrors the upcoming iPhone Fold. Both devices target almost the same market, with screens within a tenth of an inch of each other and a shared 4:3 aspect ratio—a ratio that works really well for reading and watching media. Both are expected in Q3 2026, and the iPhone Fold is slightly more compact when open or closed.

Samsung isn’t just reacting after Apple launches. It already knows Apple’s core design, which is why it’s moving early. The Wide Fold isn’t about leading; it’s a preemptive move to reduce Apple’s first-mover advantage. That’s why it doesn’t feel like a natural Galaxy Fold evolution but a deliberate alignment with Apple.

It’s smart, but it raises a question: does Samsung still have its own long-term plan for foldables, or is Apple taking the lead?

Apple finally decides to join the foldable techs.

The iPhone Fold is comfy with its passport-like shape and 4:3 screen, and Samsung’s Wide Fold is following closely. Both have trade-offs, but what really matters is how they feel in your hands. In the end, the 2026 foldable showdown will show which design works best for real people.