SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 16, 2026, 01:34 PST
- An analyst’s note outlined a 2026 “iPhone Fold” featuring Touch ID and a 7.8-inch inner display, along with details on the iPhone 18 Pro specs
- A different leak on Weibo suggested that Apple plans to embed Face ID sensors beneath the display on the iPhone 18 Pro models
- Concept renders floating online reveal a punch-hole cutout positioned in the top-left, pushing the selfie camera off-centre
Analyst Jeff Pu’s latest investor note outlines a potential spec sheet for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models alongside a foldable iPhone. Separately, a leak suggests Apple plans to embed Face ID sensors beneath the display on the Pro versions.
These reports carry weight as Apple suppliers and competitors are shaping what a 2026 “premium” phone might feature: fewer screen cutouts, increased on-device AI capabilities, and potentially—a foldable iPhone, if Apple decides to take that leap.
As the smartphone market cools, manufacturers are doubling down on premium models featuring fresh hardware innovations, despite steady sales volumes.
Pu wrote in a note to investors, referenced by 9to5Mac, that global smartphone shipments might drop 4% in 2026, “primarily due to memory costs impact amid tepid end-market, especially for Android low-to-mid end sales.” He forecasted iPhone shipments at 250 million units in 2026 and highlighted “resilient demand” for the iPhone 17 series. Pu also detailed a foldable iPhone featuring a 7.8-inch internal display, a 5.3-inch outer screen, and Touch ID—Apple’s fingerprint scanner—instead of Face ID. (9to5Mac)
AppleInsider, after examining Pu’s table, warned that the analyst’s “assumptions and timelines tend to be too aggressive.” Still, it acknowledged that the report aligns with a rising expectation that Apple’s iPhone launch in fall 2026 might focus mainly on premium models. (AppleInsider)
According to a separate leak from the Weibo account Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will stick with their 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays but will feature under-screen Face ID. This means the 3D facial recognition sensors will be hidden beneath the display, rather than housed in a visible notch, reports MacRumors. The leaker also mentioned that the standard iPhone 18 and a model dubbed “iPhone Air 2” will keep the Dynamic Island design, Apple’s software interface surrounding the front-camera cutout, with these models possibly launching around March 2027. (MacRumors)
The conflicting details highlight just how unsettled the design story still is. Pu’s table suggested Face ID featuring a “smaller Dynamic Island” on the Pro models, rather than a completely concealed sensor array.
Notebookcheck shared concept images from designer ld_vova that showcase a Pro model featuring a punch-hole camera placed in the top-left corner of the display. According to the site, this design could boost usable screen space. However, the corner punch-hole style has largely lost favor, with many Android manufacturers opting for centered cutouts instead. (Notebookcheck)
This week, 9to5Mac’s “Rumor Replay” noted that Digital Chat Station’s wording hinted the Pro line might see more than just a slight change to the Dynamic Island. The column also referenced a separate report about Apple investigating a display tech called CoE, which promises thinner, brighter panels. This could open up room for a bigger battery in future devices like the iPhone Air 2 and Apple’s foldable model. (9to5Mac)
The competitive landscape is clear-cut. Samsung and multiple Chinese brands have been pushing foldables for years, and premium Android devices typically feature tiny hole-punch cameras—some even incorporate under-display cameras—raising the bar Apple needs to meet while maintaining Face ID’s dependability.
The downside is already baked into the narrative: Apple hasn’t confirmed any of this. Under-screen sensors often wrestle with challenges like light interference, accuracy problems, and compromised image quality. Meanwhile, foldables tend to run into durability concerns and manufacturing yield hurdles that could cause delays or drive up costs.
