News
Apple’s Foldable iPad and Flip Phone Expected in 2026
Apple is planning to enter the foldable smartphone market in 2026. They plan to launch two foldable devices: an iPad and a Flip iPhone. Rumors about Apple’s entry into this segment have been circulating for a while and now these plans are becoming more real.
The report suggests that Apple will release a foldable iPad and a clamshell (Flip) smartphone in 2026. It also states that the foldable iPad/iMac hybrid is expected to launch first in the second quarter of 2026.
The clamshell (Flip) foldable iPhone is expected to arrive in late 2026. The foldable iPad is seen as a competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, while the clamshell iPhone is introduced to rival Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold.
Recently, Samsung has launched the sixth generation of its foldable devices while Apple is targeting a debut within the next two years. Apple is working to overcome the display crease, as it’s a common issue in foldable screen phones.
Apple has previously requested that Samsung and LG Display explore foldable screen technology. The iPhone makers are investing heavily in research and development to enhance the durability of foldable products. The display crease’s elimination has been Apple’s primary focus since the beginning.
The entry of Apple into the foldable product market will surely result in market growth. Apple has a loyal consumer base that always prefers its products. Samsung Display will definitely gain the benefit of being a supplier of foldable panels to Apple.
Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold7, which is its thinnest and lightest foldable phone so far. But even before the excitement settles, rumors about its next foldable phone—the Galaxy Z Fold8—have already started coming from South Korea.
If Samsung follows its usual pattern, the Galaxy Z Fold8 should launch around July next year. But now, early reports suggest that the Fold8 might bring a surprising change in its design.
Samsung is said to be testing two materials for the backplate of the Fold8: titanium and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). While CFRP was used in earlier models like the Fold3, Fold4, and Fold5, Samsung used titanium for the Fold7 to make it thinner. Along with removing the S Pen’s digitizer, the Fold7 became 0.6mm thinner than before.
However, using metal like titanium can interfere with the S Pen’s performance. To solve this, Samsung is now working on a slimmer digitizer that could bring back S Pen support in the Fold8. There’s also a chance Samsung may switch to a different S Pen technology—similar to Apple Pencil—which doesn’t get affected by metal.
Another reason Samsung is testing new materials is due to concerns about supply issues, especially with ongoing trade tensions like the US tariff war. Samsung wants to be prepared in case there are any sudden changes in the supply chain.
Since the Fold8 is still many months away, these are early rumors and plans may change. We’ll keep you updated as more information comes out.
It looks like Samsung may be facing a possible issue with the Galaxy Z Fold7’s hinge. Some users have shared photos online showing that certain Z Fold7 units aren’t opening fully flat. This problem has been spotted on store demo units according to posts on Reddit.
What’s the Issue?
The users say the phone doesn’t open fully by itself, but it can be pushed a little more with some help. This suggests that the hinge might not be snapping properly into place. It’s not clear yet if this is a serious defect or just a problem with a few units.
Possible Causes
There could be several reasons:
- A defect in the hinge design
- Damage from rough handling (though store demo units are usually handled carefully)
- Pre-production units not meeting final standards
- Or simply user error (the phone not being opened properly)
For now, there’s no official word from Samsung about any manufacturing problem, and no recall has been announced.
About the New Hinge
Samsung’s Armor FlexHinge was designed to:
- Reduce the screen crease
- Distribute stress more evenly
- Improve durability
Samsung hasn’t shared official durability numbers for the Fold7’s hinge yet, but the previous Z Fold6 was rated for over 200,000 folds with no issues.
Also, the previous Z Fold5’s “zero-gap” hinge had a tolerance of between 178.5 and 181.5 degrees when fully open, meaning it wasn’t always perfectly flat either. It’s possible the Z Fold7 has a similar tolerance.
Indian smartphone brand Lava is preparing to launch two new smartphones this month — the Blaze AMOLED 2 and the Blaze Dragon. While Lava has already confirmed that the Blaze Dragon will be officially launched on July 25, more details about the phone have now been leaked.
Key Specifications
According to industry sources, the Lava Blaze Dragon will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset. It will also come with 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage for faster performance. The main camera on the back is expected to be a 50MP sensor. Additionally, the phone is said to run on a stock version of Android 15, which means users can expect a clean and simple Android experience without any extra apps or heavy customizations.
Design and Features
Leaked official renders show the Blaze Dragon’s rear design, which reveals a dual-camera setup. Apart from the 50MP main camera, the second lens could either be an ultrawide camera or a 2MP depth/macro sensor. The images also confirm the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB Type-C port on the bottom of the device.
In addition to the renders, live photos of the phone have surfaced online. These images reveal a new color variant that features a stylish “rainbow” light reflection effect on the camera island, giving the phone a more premium look. However, no images have shown the front design of the phone yet.
Pricing
One of the most exciting details is the expected price. Sources suggest that the Lava Blaze Dragon will be priced under Rs 10,000.