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Apple is already looking beyond its first foldable iPhone expected to debut in late 2026 by exploring a smaller, clamshell-style foldable model that could follow it.

A reliable source on Apple’s internal plans, who says the idea is under consideration but far from guaranteed to reach production. If realized, such a device would represent Apple’s bid to bring a pocket-friendly flip-style device into its smartphone lineup, competing with established clamshell foldables from rivals like Samsung and Motorola.

Unlike the larger first Apple foldable which is widely reported to use a book-like design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, the prospective clamshell would fold vertically like the Galaxy Z Flip, enabling a compact footprint when closed.

What Is a Clamshell Foldable and Why It Matters

In smartphone design, clamshell foldables stand out for prioritizing compactness and convenience over the large internal screens typical of book-style foldables. When folded, devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 become near-square pocket devices that open into a conventional phone size. This category has become popular for users who want a more pocketable smartphone without sacrificing display size.

Apple’s exploration of this form factor suggests the company believes customers may want a variety of foldable shapes and sizesmuch like how iPhone customers can choose from standard, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models. Gurman reports that Apple is considering this clamshell design to provide more options if its first foldable iPhone proves successful.

For years, Apple has been linked to foldable device development, though official announcements have been slow. Analysts and industry insiders now generally expect Apple’s first foldable iPhone to arrive around late 2026 or possibly early 2027, featuring a larger internal display and a traditional book-style fold.

Once that device hits the market, Apple could expand the category in subsequent years with different form factors similar to how the iPhone lineup now includes multiple sizes and models. The clamshell-style design being explored now could become a second generation or even a companion product in Apple’s foldable family.

Bloomberg’s Gurman emphasizes that the clamshell isn’t a certainty, it’s an option Apple is thinking about rather than a product that’s already locked in for launch. Nevertheless, the fact that the idea is under active consideration highlights Apple’s intent to expand its strategies in foldable hardware.

If Apple does pursue a clamshell foldable, it will be entering a segment already led by devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the revamped Motorola Razr series. These products have built a dedicated but niche audience that values compactness and style as much as functionality.

Samsung’s models have set consumer expectations for smooth hinges, durable display materials, and pocket-friendly formats. Apple will need to differentiate its clamshell likely through tight integration with iOS, seamless performance, and Apple’s focus on premium design to justify the typical Apple price premium.

Some analysts believe that Apple could also lean into distinctive camera capabilities, advanced materials, and unique software features that take advantage of the foldable format similar to how the company has differentiated its traditional iPhones from Android competitors. These enhancements could make an Apple clamshell foldable not just another flip phonebut a product that carries the brand’s innovative hallmarks.

Current reporting suggests Apple’s first foldable iPhone, a larger, book-style model will launch ahead of this clamshell, likely in the second half of 2026. This device is said to feature a large internal display (rumored around 7.7–7.8 inches) and a smaller external screen for quick interactions.

The clamshell option, by contrast, would probably arrive later, possibly in 2027 or beyond, depending on development progress and market response to the first model. Some previous industry reports also suggest that hinges, display durability, and thickness remain key engineering challenges for Apple before a clamshell could ship at scale.

In earlier exploration, Apple reportedly worked on multiple prototype designs, including clamshell formats. A 2024 report said Apple had at least two foldable iPhone prototypes one clamshell and one larger book-style undergoing testing. This historical development context aligns with Apple’s iterative, exploratory approach to complex form factors.

Foldable devices pose unique technical and manufacturing challenges compared with traditional slab-style phones. Issues like screen crease visibility, hinge durability, and material longevity have kept Apple cautious about releasing a product that meets its performance and quality standards.

Apple has a track record of waiting until a technology meets its own high threshold before launching itas seen with features like Face ID, wireless charging, and more recently, its integration of advanced AI features. This has meant slower market entry compared with competitors, but often with polished and refined products once launched.

Taking time with foldable form factors especially a clamshell variant fits this pattern and suggests Apple wants to avoid pushing a device to market before it’s fully ready.

For consumers, this report implies that a multi-model foldable lineup could eventually become part of the iPhone family. Starting with a larger foldable in 2026 and potentially followed by a compact, clamshell version a year or two later, Apple could offer choice and flexibility similar to its wider iPhone ecosystem.

Such a strategy could make foldables more mainstream, appealing to users who want either bigger screens for productivity and media or smaller flip-style phones for portability and style.

Even if the clamshell iPhone never reaches production, the fact that Apple is seriously exploring it underscores the company’s recognition of foldable technology as a key frontier in smartphone evolution and signals that Apple is positioning itself to compete strongly in whatever formats consumers embrace next.