Why Apple Rejected the Clamshell-Style Foldable iPhone

Apple considered plans but abandoned them for a foldable iPhone because it didn’t create new use cases, according to Weibo leaker Instant Digital. Apple reportedly felt it was an “unnecessary” design because its biggest selling point would have been its small size when folded.

The split in the center also caused problems with interior space, limiting battery capacity and leaving little room for camera components. Apple would have had to compromise on the rear camera system. Instant Digital suggests that if Apple wanted a smaller iPhone, the company could have introduced a smaller slab-style model instead.

There have been two separate times when rumors suggested that Apple was considering an iPhone that folds in half like a clamshell. The first rumor appeared years before reports turned to Apple’s work on a large, book-style foldable iPhone coming in 2026, and the second came in February 2026 when rumors revealed that Apple had re-examined the design.

It’s not clear if Instant Digital is referring to earlier rumors or more recent rumors dating back to February, but the wording suggests the latter.

Samsung has long had two foldable smartphone styles, offering the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Flip, but smaller-sized iPhones haven’t fared well. Apple had a 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, but the device was discontinued after two generations because it sold poorly.

Given Apple’s struggle to sell compact iPhones like the iPhone mini, it may come as no surprise that the clamshell-style folding has been shelved for now.