Apple’s WWDC sessions have sparked renewed speculation about a foldable iPhone after references to ‘new hardware’ and ‘new screen size’ were made in relation to the iOS 26 SDK. Although the foldable iPhone has been the subject of numerous rumors, recent reports suggest that Apple plans to release this highly anticipated device in the latter half of 2026, though it will be produced in limited quantities. 
While the hardware and its complex components are likely a challenge, the real hurdle may lie in the software, which could explain why Apple has been taking its time to perfect it.
During the WWDC session titled ‘Make Your UIKit App More Flexible,’ a comment by Apple stood out to 9to5Mac. Starting with the iOS 26 SDK, apps running on newer hardware will no longer be letterboxed or scaled on devices with different screen sizes. This change indicates that Apple may be preparing for devices with new form factors, such as a foldable iPhone. Previously, when Apple released new hardware with different screen sizes, apps built with older SDKs would run in a scaled or letterboxed mode until developers updated their apps and resubmitted them to the App Store. However, with iOS 26, apps will no longer experience this scaling issue, ensuring they run natively on future hardware.
Apple’s comments hint that new hardware, potentially a foldable device, could be on the horizon. The company mentioned that there would be ‘another compatibility mode, specifically for new hardware.’ With earlier rumors suggesting the foldable iPhone will feature a 4:3 aspect ratio and a book-style form factor, it’s hard to dismiss these hints as just routine updates. While we won’t know for sure until the device is officially unveiled, this glimpse of what’s to come only fuels the excitement around the potential release of the foldable iPhone in 2026.