I 3D Printed the iPhone Fold Based on Leaks and It Is Wild

The iPhone Fold is expected to be the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever made. Because of that, I decided to 3D print a model based on current rumors to see what this thing might actually feel like in real life.

And right away, you can tell the form factor is very different.

Super Thin When Unfolded

According to leaks, this is expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever when unfolded at just 4.5 mm. That is actually thinner than the iPhone Air at 5.6mm , which already feels borderline unreal in the hand.

When you hold the 3D model open, it genuinely feels closer to an iPad than a phone. Which makes sense, because both displays are rumored to use a 4x3 aspect ratio.

iPad OS on an iPhone?

That aspect ratio opens the door to something interesting. There is a real possibility this could be running a version of iPad OS instead of standard iOS. Apple has never done that before, but this form factor almost demands it.

Multitasking, split screen apps, and proper tablet workflows actually make sense here.

Touch ID Is Making a Comeback

Another big rumor is the return of Touch ID, built into the power button.

With two different ways to use the phone folded and unfolded, and limited internal space, Face ID components might simply not fit. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor would solve that problem instantly.

Honestly, I would not be mad about Touch ID coming back.

Camera Setup Keeps It Simple

Unlike recent Pro iPhones that keep adding lenses, the iPhone Fold is rumored to only have two rear cameras. Both are expected to be 48 megapixels. The selfie camera is rumored to be 24 megapixels, which would be a solid upgrade over what we have now.

That might sound underwhelming at first, but Apple has proven that fewer cameras does not mean worse photos. Especially if this device is more about productivity and display than zoom tricks.

The Rumors Get Crazy

Some of the leaks start to sound almost too good to be true.

Apparently, this phone is supposed to have no visible crease. That alone would be a massive achievement if Apple can actually pull it off.

There is also talk of a 5500 mAh battery, which would be impressive considering how thin this thing is supposed to be.

The Price Is the Scariest Part

And then there is the biggest rumor of all…. The price.

Everything points to this costing over $2,000. That would make it the most expensive iPhone ever, and suddenly the 3D printed plastic model in my hand feels a lot safer than the real thing ever will.

©️@fpt

If Apple actually delivers on even half of these rumors, the iPhone Fold could be one of the most interesting devices they have released in years. Or it could be the most expensive experiment in Apple history.

Final Thoughts

Holding this 3D printed model really puts the leaks into perspective. The iPhone Fold might be ultra-thin, possibly run iPad OS, bring back Touch ID, and pack huge cameras and battery, but it is also shaping up to be ridiculously expensive.

If nothing else, it’s fun to imagine a $2,000 iPhone that folds like paper but maybe doesn’t crease at all. Or maybe Apple will just sell you the hinge separately.

See you in the next article!