While millions of people are still lining up for the iPhone 17, Apple is already thinking several years ahead. This has always been the company’s approach. By the time a new iPhone reaches store shelves, its successor is already deep in development.
But this time, the future looks different. According to well known analyst Jeff Pu, Apple is preparing not just another upgrade, but a shift in direction. A foldable iPhone is finally becoming real, and at the same time, the iPhone 18 Pro models are getting their most serious update in years.
Together, these devices paint a picture of a company that is ready to take risks again.
The Foldable iPhone Apple Has Been Waiting to Release
Apple does not rush into new product categories. We saw this with smartwatches, wireless earbuds, and even large screen phones. The company prefers to watch, learn, and enter only when it believes the experience is good enough.
That philosophy explains why Apple is only now preparing a foldable iPhone.
The device, often referred to as the iPhone Fold, is expected to introduce Apple’s take on flexible screens. But what makes it truly interesting is not the screen itself. It is the decisions Apple is making around it.
Touch ID Makes an Unexpected Return
One of the most talked about details is Apple’s plan to remove Face ID from the foldable iPhone. Instead, Touch ID may return as the primary way to unlock the device.
For many users, this feels like a step back in time. Face ID has been a core part of the iPhone experience for years. Apple has repeatedly described it as faster, safer, and more advanced.
So why bring back fingerprint scanning?
The answer likely lies in usability. A foldable phone can be used in many positions. Folded, unfolded, held vertically or horizontally. A fingerprint sensor built into the power button works in every scenario. You do not need to align your face or adjust how you hold the device. You simply touch it and it unlocks.
In this context, Touch ID feels less like nostalgia and more like a smart design choice.
Built With Strength in Mind
Foldable phones face one major challenge. Durability.
Apple appears to be taking this seriously. Reports suggest the iPhone Fold will use a combination of titanium and aluminum. This mix should help the phone feel solid without becoming too heavy.
For Apple, the first foldable iPhone cannot feel fragile or experimental. It needs to feel like a finished product that fits naturally into daily life. Premium materials help send that message immediately.
Cameras Designed for a New Way of Using a Phone
Despite its new form, the iPhone Fold is not expected to compromise on photography.
The rear camera system is rumored to include two 48 megapixel sensors. That puts it on par with Apple’s top tier devices. On the front, things get even more interesting. Each display may have its own 18 megapixel camera.
This means whether the phone is folded or fully open, users can expect high quality selfies, video calls, and content creation. For people who live on social media or rely on their phone for work calls, this consistency matters.
The iPhone 18 Pro Gets Serious About Photography
While the foldable iPhone grabs attention, Apple is also quietly upgrading its traditional flagship models.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature three rear cameras, all using 48 megapixel sensors. This is a major shift. Until now, Apple has mixed different resolutions across lenses.
With this change, users can expect sharper images, improved low light performance, and more flexibility when switching between lenses. Video recording should also benefit, especially for creators who rely on their iPhone as a primary camera.
Face ID Stays Where It Works Best
Unlike the foldable model, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to keep Face ID inside the Dynamic Island. This reinforces Apple’s strategy of separating experimental designs from proven ones.
For users who love Face ID and the familiar iPhone experience, the Pro models remain a safe and powerful choice. Apple is not replacing one approach with another. It is offering options.
A Surprising Choice of Materials
Another interesting detail is the rumored use of aluminum frames for the iPhone 18 Pro models. This stands out, especially as Apple has recently promoted titanium as a premium material.
But Apple often uses materials as part of its product storytelling. The foldable iPhone becomes the luxury showcase, while the Pro models focus on balance, performance, and everyday comfort.
For users, this creates subtle but meaningful differences in how each phone feels.
12 GB of RAM Signals a New Era
All three top tier devices, the foldable iPhone and the two Pro models, are expected to include 12 GB of RAM.
This matters more than it might sound. More memory allows for smoother multitasking, faster performance, and more advanced AI features. It also prepares the devices for future software updates that demand more power.
For a foldable phone in particular, extra RAM is essential. Large screens invite multitasking, and Apple appears ready for that reality.
Apple’s Unusual Release Strategy
Perhaps the most surprising detail is Apple’s release timeline.
According to current information, Apple may launch the iPhone Fold and the iPhone 18 Pro models in the same year. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 and a more affordable version may not arrive until 2027.
This breaks from Apple’s usual pattern. But it also reveals a clear priority. Apple wants to dominate the premium segment first, setting the tone for the entire market.
Why This Matters in the United States
The US market has always played a central role in Apple’s success. When Apple introduces a new form factor here, it often becomes the global standard.
If Apple’s foldable iPhone succeeds, it could change how American consumers see foldable devices. What is currently viewed as niche or experimental could quickly become mainstream.
Apple has done this before. And the industry is paying attention.
Apple Is Betting on Choice, Not Replacement
Rather than forcing users into one future, Apple seems to be offering multiple paths.
You can choose the familiarity of the iPhone 18 Pro. Or you can step into something new with the iPhone Fold. Both approaches are valid, and both are clearly part of Apple’s long term plan.
That may be the most important takeaway of all.
The Next Chapter of the iPhone Is Taking Shape
If these reports are accurate, the next few years will redefine what an iPhone can be. Apple is blending caution with bold moves, tradition with experimentation.
And once again, the company has managed to do what it does best. Make the entire tech world stop and pay attention.
The iPhone story is far from over. In many ways, it feels like it is just beginning again.
