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| The successor to the pictured iPhone 17 Pro could get a smaller punch-hole cutout |
Introduction: Piecing Together Apple’s Future
For months, the tech rumor mill has been buzzing with contradictory whispers about Apple’s future iPhones. Would the familiar pill-shaped punch hole on the Pro models shrink, stay the same, or disappear entirely? Would Apple’s long-anticipated entry into the foldable phone market simply mimic the competition? A new, comprehensive report from The Information has cut through the noise, offering the clearest picture yet of Apple’s ambitious roadmap for 2026. The revelations point not to incremental updates, but to a significant shift in design philosophy for both the iPhone 18 Pro and the revolutionary iPhone Fold.
The iPhone 18 Pro: Asymmetry and Advanced Imaging
The most immediate changes are headed for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. According to the report, Apple is moving forward with a plan to drastically reduce the size of the front-facing TrueDepth camera system.
- A New, Asymmetric Punch Hole: Contrary to some earlier speculation, the sensors will not be fully hidden under the display just yet. Instead, Apple engineers have managed to miniaturize and consolidate the components. The result will be a single, smaller punch hole for the front-facing camera. In a bold design departure, this hole is currently planned to be positioned in the upper left corner of the display, creating a distinct asymmetrical look rather than the centered placement used for years.
- Pro-Grade Camera Control: On the rear, Apple is planning a major upgrade to give photographers more creative control. The report states that at least one of the three rear cameras—likely the 48MP main sensor—will feature a manually adjustable variable aperture. This technology, akin to high-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras, would allow users to physically control the amount of light entering the lens and, more importantly, manipulate the depth of field. Users could choose a wide aperture for a blurred background (bokeh) in portraits or a narrow aperture to ensure everything from foreground to background is in sharp focus for landscape shots.
This move signifies Apple’s commitment to bridging the gap between smartphone convenience and professional photographic tools. You can read the full details of this ambitious roadmap in the original report from The Information.
The iPhone Fold: Forging a Different Path
While the iPhone 18 Pro represents an evolution of a familiar form, the iPhone Fold is Apple’s chance to redefine the category. The Information’s report confirms and clarifies many earlier rumors, painting a picture of a device that deliberately diverges from the current foldable standard set by Samsung and Google.
A Tablet-Like Experience
The core revelation is the device’s unique aspect ratio. When unfolded, the iPhone Fold’s 7.7-inch inner display will be “more wide than tall.” As noted in a follow-up analysis by 9to5Mac, this gives it a shape similar to Apple’s largest iPads in landscape mode, rather than the tall, narrow screen found on competitors’ book-style foldables.
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| The iPhone Fold could sport an aspect ratio similar to the iPad Pro |
Compact and Practical Design
This design choice has direct benefits for the device’s folded form factor:
- Smaller Outer Screen: The cover display is expected to measure approximately 5.3 inches. Thanks to the wider inner screen ratio, this outer display will be more compact and likely easier to use one-handed than the taller covers on other devices.
- Unique User Experience: The wider canvas is optimized for viewing content side-by-side, reading documents, drawing, and video calls—use cases where horizontal space is more valuable than vertical height.
For comparison, the current market leader, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, features a 6.5-inch outer display with a much taller 9:21 aspect ratio, making the device notably taller and narrower when folded. You can check the current model and its specs on Amazon.
| Feature | Apple iPhone Fold (Rumored) | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Display | ~7.7 inches, “more wide than tall” (est. ~4:3) | 7.6 inches, taller than wide |
| Outer Display | ~5.3 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Folded Aspect Ratio | Roughly 2:3 or 10:15 | 9:21 (much taller) |
| Front Camera Placement | Single punch hole, top-left corner | Under-display camera (inner screen) |
Analyst Insights: Why Apple is Charting Its Own Course
Industry analysts see clear logic in Apple’s rumored decisions. The asymmetric punch hole on the iPhone 18 Pro is viewed as a temporary but necessary step toward a future of a completely undisrupted display, with the left-corner placement potentially offering better integration with iOS status bar icons.
The iPhone Fold’ unique aspect ratio is seen as a classic Apple strategy: avoid simply copying, and instead enter a market with a refined alternative that leverages the company’s strengths. The iPad-like proportions suggest a focus on productivity and media consumption, areas where Apple’s ecosystem and software already excel. This design could make the iPhone Fold feel less like a phone that unfolds into a small tablet, and more like a portable tablet that folds into a pocketable phone.
Conclusion: A Cautious Look Ahead to 2026
The information, while compelling, comes with the standard caveat for all early Apple rumors: plans can and do change. Prototypes are tested, designs are iterated, and final decisions are made much closer to launch. However, the consistency across multiple sources makes a strong case for the overall direction.
If these designs hold, September 2026 will mark a pivotal moment for Apple. The iPhone 18 Pro will challenge user perceptions with its asymmetric display and empower photographers with professional controls. Meanwhile, the iPhone Fold will attempt to reshape the fledgling foldable market around a wider, more productivity-focused vision, directly challenging the tall-and-narrow approach of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series.
One thing is certain: after years of relative design consistency, Apple’s iPhone lineup appears poised for its most dramatic transformation in nearly a decade.
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| Punch holes in the upper left corner have been trendy a few years ago, such as on the pictured Honor View 20 |