Apple’s product roadmap for 2026 is shaping up to be crowded, and among the most talked-about additions is a long-rumoured foldable iPhone. Expected by many observers to appear later this year alongside the iPhone 18 family, the device would represent Apple’s first serious move into the foldable smartphone space, an area currently dominated by Samsung.

Fresh reporting suggests, however, that Apple may not be stopping at a single design. Alongside the book-style foldable believed to be nearing launch, the company is reportedly investigating a smaller, clamshell-style handset that folds vertically. Such a model would place Apple in direct competition with devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip line and Motorola’s Razr range, both of which prioritise compactness when closed.

According to Bloomberg, Apple engineers are considering a square-shaped foldable phone that opens and closes like a traditional flip phone. While this is the first solid indication that Apple is even testing this form factor, the report also cautions that the project could be postponed or cancelled altogether, depending on how development progresses.

The clamshell category has become increasingly crowded over the past few years. Samsung and Motorola have been joined by Chinese manufacturers including Honor and Xiaomi, all offering their own interpretations of the format. Competitive pressure has even pushed Samsung to introduce a more affordable Fan Edition version of its Galaxy Z Flip, while Motorola has spread its flip phones across several price brackets. Huawei has also experimented with a compact vertical fold in the form of the Pura X.

If Apple does decide to enter this segment, the impact would likely be felt across the entire market. Still, much depends on how well its first foldable iPhone performs. That larger device is widely expected to arrive later this year and is said to feature a display with a significantly reduced crease, a long-standing challenge for foldable screens.

Whether that screen technology could be adapted for a flip-style iPhone remains to be seen. For now, there is no indication of when a so-called iPhone Flip might reach consumers, as development is believed to be at an early stage. Even so, the reports point to Apple’s hardware teams returning to a more experimental mindset as they explore new ways to reshape the iPhone.