Digimagaz.com – Apple appears to be planning well beyond the launch of its first foldable iPhone, with a third-generation model reportedly already on the company’s roadmap for as early as 2028.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing multiple generations of its foldable iPhone rather than treating the upcoming device as a one-off experiment. The report suggests the company has plans for at least three generations, giving consumers an early look at how Apple could evolve its foldable hardware over the next several years.
The first model is expected to arrive this year, followed by a second-generation version in 2027. If the current roadmap holds, Apple could introduce a third-generation foldable iPhone as soon as 2028.
Apple Is Already Looking Beyond Its First Foldable iPhone
Gurman revealed the longer-term roadmap in his latest Power On newsletter, saying Apple has plans extending two generations beyond its first foldable iPhone.
The information is notable because Apple has yet to officially introduce its first foldable iPhone. Nevertheless, the company reportedly has already mapped out the next stages of the product line.
The second-generation model is expected in 2027, while the third-generation device could follow as early as 2028. That would give Apple a relatively clear three-generation product strategy in a category where the company has yet to make its debut.
For Apple, this approach could allow the company to refine the foldable experience progressively rather than attempting to perfect every aspect with the first generation.
Third-Generation Model Could Bring Larger Displays
The biggest reported change for the 2028 foldable iPhone may involve its displays.
According to Gurman, the third-generation device is expected to have slightly larger screens on both the inside and outside. Specific display measurements have not been disclosed, however.
The first-generation foldable iPhone is currently expected to feature a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external cover screen. If those dimensions remain the starting point, the third-generation model would represent another step toward larger viewing areas on both sides of the device.
Even a modest increase could give Apple more room to differentiate the later model from its predecessors. At this stage, however, there is no information about exactly how much larger the screens could become.
First Foldable iPhone Expected to Take a Different Approach
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to introduce several major changes compared with the company’s existing smartphone lineup.
The device is reportedly being designed with an ultra-thin profile and could use Touch ID rather than Face ID. It is also expected to feature Apple’s A20 chip and a C2 modem.
The phone may also carry the “iPhone Ultra” name, signaling a positioning above Apple’s conventional iPhone models.
Pricing could reinforce that premium strategy. Current expectations put the starting price around $2,000 or potentially higher, making the foldable iPhone one of Apple’s most expensive smartphones.
The combination of a foldable design, premium positioning and high-end hardware would make the first generation a significant expansion of Apple’s iPhone lineup.
Apple’s Second Foldable Could Arrive in 2027
The development roadmap reportedly does not stop with the first model.
A second-generation foldable iPhone is expected to launch in 2027, and the project has reportedly already received approval for development. The information comes from the Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station, who said Apple’s “iPhone Ultra 2” project has been formally approved.
Interestingly, the second-generation device is expected to reuse the display from the first-generation model.
That would suggest Apple may focus the 2027 version on changes beyond the screen rather than introducing a completely new display configuration. The available information does not specify what other hardware or design improvements Apple could make.
The second-generation foldable is also expected to arrive in fall 2027 alongside the iPhone’s 20th-anniversary model, according to the source material.
What the 2028 Model Could Mean for Apple’s Foldable Strategy
The reported 2028 plan is particularly significant because it indicates that Apple may view foldable iPhones as a long-term product category.
Rather than introducing a single premium foldable and waiting to see how the market responds, Apple appears to be preparing a multiyear development cycle. Each generation could provide an opportunity to adjust the hardware, improve usability and respond to customer demand.
The third-generation model’s larger displays could be an example of that gradual evolution. Instead of dramatically changing the overall concept, Apple may refine the dimensions and experience based on what it learns from earlier generations.
That strategy would be consistent with the idea of Apple entering an established category with a mature product plan rather than simply matching the specifications of competing foldable phones.
Apple’s Foldable iPhone Timeline
Based on the reports cited in the source material, Apple’s current reported foldable roadmap looks like this:
| Generation | Expected timing | Reported details |
|---|---|---|
| First-generation | 2026 | Ultra-thin design, 7.8-inch inner display, 5.5-inch cover display, Touch ID, A20 chip, C2 modem |
| Second-generation | 2027 | Development reportedly approved; expected to reuse the first model’s display |
| Third-generation | As early as 2028 | Slightly larger internal and external displays |
These plans remain based on reports rather than official Apple announcements. Apple has not publicly confirmed the specifications, naming, pricing or launch schedule described above.
The Bigger Picture for Apple’s Foldable iPhone
The most important takeaway from the latest report may not be the size of the third-generation screen. Instead, it is the indication that Apple could already have several generations of foldable iPhone development mapped out.
The first model is expected to establish Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market. The second could refine that initial design, while the third may begin expanding the physical dimensions of the device.
If the reported timeline proves accurate, Apple could have a three-generation foldable iPhone family within just a few years of entering the category.
For consumers, that also means the first foldable iPhone may be only the beginning of Apple’s plans. The company’s longer-term strategy could ultimately matter as much as the specifications of its debut model, particularly if Apple continues refining the design with each generation.
For now, the first foldable iPhone remains the key milestone. But the reported roadmap suggests Apple is already thinking about what comes after it.
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