3D-Printed iPhone Fold Dummy Reveals Apple’s Bold 2026 Design
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A tiled visual pattern showcasing the minimalist rear design of Apple iPhones with single-camera modules. |
A 3D designer has released a full-scale iPhone Fold dummy model for 3D printers, giving Apple enthusiasts a way to handle a physical stand-in for the company’s first foldable iPhone, expected in 2026.
Apple is developing a book-style foldable iPhone that is rumored to offer a roughly 5.4–5.5 inch outer display and a 7.6–7.8 inch inner screen when unfolded, positioning the device closer to an iPad mini in size when open and more square than current iPhones when closed. The new 3D-printable dummy, published on design-sharing platform MakerWorld by a user known as Subsy, is described as a 1:1 replica intended to approximate these rumored dimensions so users can compare the form factor with existing phones.
Subsy says the model is based on “recently leaked CAD drawings” of the iPhone Fold, but Apple-focused sites report that the underlying CAD files circulating this month are concept renders, not authenticated factory schematics. MacRumors notes that the dimensions of the dummy track closely with an earlier concept created by community member iZac, whose design specifies about a 5.5-inch display when closed and 7.76 inches when open, aligning with several size rumors but not with any verified Apple documentation.
The printable dummy is designed primarily as a physical mockup that users can open and close, testing how the rumored “passport-style” wide aspect ratio and crease-minimizing fold might feel in the hand ahead of launch. It does not attempt to reproduce Apple’s actual camera module, hinge engineering, or internal hardware layout, all of which remain subject to change as Apple continues development.
Analysts and leakers expect Apple’s foldable iPhone to ship in late 2026, with some reports pointing to an introduction alongside the iPhone 18 line and others suggesting the timeline could slip into 2027. The project is part of a broader industry push toward larger, tablet-like inner displays and less visible screen creases, with Samsung reportedly preparing a “Wide Fold” device for 2026 that targets similar 7.6-inch internal and ~5.4-inch external dimensions.
For users, the 3D-printed mockup offers an early, low-cost way to evaluate whether Apple’s rumored shorter, wider foldable design fits their existing usage patterns before committing to a premium first-generation device. More accurate CAD-based dummies are expected to surface closer to launch as supply-chain data solidifies and accessory makers begin tooling for cases and screen protectors.
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