The Flip Side of Innovation: Apple Labs Are Already Prototyping a “Square” Clamshell iPhone

Apple is reportedly weighing a secondary foldable iPhone in a vertical clamshell form factor, aiming to compete with the Galaxy Z Flip and similar devices from other manufacturers. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the project is currently “under consideration,” suggesting a protracted path to mass production or possibly never materialising.

The report indicates Apple is still rigorously assessing whether such a design can meet its standards for durability and display integrity, even as it remains optimistic about a first foldable iPhone debut later this year. The motivation for a clamshell approach is market intelligence that compact foldables tend to sell well at around $1,000, appealing as portable lifestyle devices.

Apple has not announced a launch date, and the company will reportedly refrain from a market release until it resolves challenges like display creasing and chassis thickness, before potentially accelerating progress toward a broader foldable roadmap. February 2, 2026.