Analyst: the foldable iPhone will have an outward folding design like the Huawei Mate Xs 2

Apple’s event yesterday focused on software and the company didn’t say much about hardware. But the company is working on at least two foldable devices behind the scenes – one 20.3” MacBook, which is reportedly closer to completion, and one 7.9” foldable iPhone.

The latter will have an outward folding design, similar to the Huawei Mate Xs 2, according to analyst Jeff Pu. This means a single display that covers the front and back of the device when folded and straightens out a flat singular display when opened.

Huawei Mate Xs 2

Pu expects this foldable iPhone to be ready for late 2026, although other analysts place the launch date in 2027. The larger 20.3” foldable MacBook seems to be on track to launch in 2025. This one is likened to the ThinkPad X1, which has an inward folding display and a wireless keyboard that stores between the two halves when the device is folded closed.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1

The advantage of an outward folding display is there is no need for a cover display – this means no extra weight, thickness or cost. And with most of the back covered in screen, it’s useful for personalization or main camera selfies. The downside of this design is that the foldable display is the most vulnerable element of the device and it is left always exposed.

Inward folding designs offer protection for the flexible screen and can also be used folded at 90° or so for a laptop-like experience. We’re not sure why work on the foldable MacBook is progressing faster than on the foldable iPhone, but a tricky outward folding design might have something to do with it.

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