Apple Foldable iPhone Ditches Face ID for Touch ID Return

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Apple's foldable iPhone is making headlines again, and this time it's not just about the revolutionary form factor. Ming-Chi Kuo has doubled down on his prediction that Apple's first foldable device will bring back Touch ID—but not in the way you might expect. The analyst confirms thickness and internal space constraints will prevent Face ID from making the cut, forcing Apple to revisit fingerprint authentication for the first time in a flagship device since 2017. With the foldable iPhone expected to arrive in 2026 at a premium price point between $2,000 and $2,500, this authentication choice represents a fascinating compromise between cutting-edge design and practical engineering limitations.

Why Apple's ditching Face ID for the foldable

Here's the bottom line: Apple's ambitious design goals are forcing some tough choices. The foldable iPhone will measure just 4.5mm when unfolded—an ultra-thin profile that simply doesn't leave room for Face ID's sensor array. Kuo notes that thickness and internal space constraints appear to prevent the Face ID module from being included in the first-generation device. When folded, the device will be 9.5mm thick, but that ultra-slim unfolded measurement is where the engineering challenge lies.

This isn't just about cramming components into a tight space—it's about maintaining Apple's exacting standards for user experience. The device will employ a combination of stainless steel and titanium alloy for the hinge, with the chassis sporting a titanium alloy build. Apple doesn't want to include too many components inside the display, which explains the lack of Face ID for the foldable iPhone.

What's particularly interesting here is how space constraints are driving this authentication pivot while setting Apple apart from existing foldable devices. Current Android foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold series accommodate facial recognition through thicker bezels and less aggressive thinness targets, but Apple's non-negotiable vision for an ultra-slim profile forces a different approach entirely. This is classic Apple—prioritizing form factor perfection over feature completeness when engineering realities collide with design ambition.

Touch ID makes its flagship comeback

Let's break down what this means for authentication. Apple will integrate Touch ID into a side button, similar to the current iPad Air and iPad mini design. This marks the first time a premium iPhone will use fingerprint authentication since the iPhone 8 launched in 2017. The side-button implementation will likely mirror the iPad's capacitive design, with Luxshare ICT expected to supply the Touch ID module.

But here's what's interesting—this isn't your old Touch ID. Apple has been refining fingerprint technology significantly since Touch ID's early days, including advanced ultrasonic sensing improvements. Touch ID was first introduced in 2013 with the iPhone 5s, and revolutionized smartphone security by allowing users to unlock their devices and authenticate purchases with a fingerprint. Now it's getting a modern makeover for the foldable era, incorporating lessons learned from years of iPad implementation and biometric advances.

The timing of this return is fascinating when you consider real-world usage patterns. Many users actually prefer Touch ID over Face ID due to its ease of use and relatively simpler accessibility. Think about common scenarios: unlocking your device while it's flat on a desk, authenticating payments without lifting the phone to your face, or accessing your device when wearing masks or sunglasses. The return of Touch ID, no matter how it is implemented, will be heralded as a positive for the consumer by most people.

PRO TIP: The side-button placement offers a unique advantage for foldable devices—instant authentication regardless of whether the device is folded or unfolded, without the positioning requirements that Face ID would demand.

What the foldable iPhone will actually look like

The specs are starting to solidify, and they're impressive. Kuo expects the device to have a folding book design, with an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display. More specifically, the inner screen is 7.76 inches with a resolution of approximately 2713x1920 pixels, while the outer screen is 5.49 inches with a resolution of approximately 2088x1422 pixels.

Here's where Apple's engineering prowess really shows: the device will reportedly be virtually crease-free thanks to a special metal plate that disperses bending stress. The foldable iPhone is expected to have a hinge combining stainless steel and a titanium alloy, possibly incorporating liquid metal for greater durability. Apple has even patented self-healing display materials that can repair minor scratches automatically using heat, light, or electrical current.

The camera system won't disappoint either. The device is believed to feature a dual-lens rear camera system similar to standard iPhone models, with likely four total cameras including selfie cameras. And yes, there will be a punch-hole design for the front-facing camera—a first for Apple but standard in the Android foldable world.

Now here's something that could be a game-changer: that crease-free display technology. If Apple can truly deliver on this promise, it would address the most common complaint about current Android foldables, which all show visible creasing that affects both aesthetics and tactile experience. Combined with the self-healing display patent, Apple is clearly thinking beyond just the folding mechanism to solve the fundamental durability and user experience challenges that have kept foldables from mainstream adoption.

The premium price reality check

Let's talk numbers, and they position this device squarely in luxury territory. Kuo projects a premium price tag exceeding $2,000, and potentially climbing above $2,500. More specifically, analysts and leakers believe the iPhone Fold will cost between $2,000 and $2,500, making it potentially the most expensive iPhone ever. This puts Apple's foldable in the same price category as luxury watches or high-end jewelry—it's not just a phone, it's a statement piece.

The production timeline reflects Apple's cautious approach to this new category. Mass production is planned for the second half of 2026, with Kuo predicting initial shipments of just 3-5 million units in 2026. Apple will reportedly finalize the foldable iPhone's specifications in the second quarter of 2025, with mass production slated for Q4 2026.

This premium positioning makes perfect strategic sense. The limited initial shipment numbers tell a story about Apple's expectations—this is clearly positioned as a halo product to demonstrate technological capability and test market response, rather than a mass-market device. The foldable will feature Apple's second-generation C2 modem and ship as an eSIM-only device, representing the cutting edge of Apple's technology stack while keeping production volumes manageable.

Bottom Line: At these price points, Apple is targeting early adopters and luxury consumers who want the latest technology regardless of cost—think iPhone X pricing strategy but turned up to eleven.

What this means for the iPhone's future

The foldable iPhone's Touch ID implementation isn't just about solving an immediate engineering problem—it's a glimpse into Apple's broader authentication strategy and device differentiation approach. While Apple is reportedly testing under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 Pro in 2026, the foldable's constraints have forced a practical compromise that many users will actually prefer. Touch ID remained a staple of iPhone design until Apple introduced Face ID with the iPhone X in 2017, marking a shift toward facial recognition as the company's preferred biometric authentication method.

The last iPhone model to feature Touch ID was the third-generation iPhone SE, which Apple discontinued in February 2025 without a like-for-like replacement. Now, Touch ID returns to flagship territory for the first time since 2017, suggesting Apple sees value in creating a diversified authentication ecosystem across its device lineup.

What's particularly intriguing is how this creates a tiered authentication hierarchy that matches different device categories and use cases. Regular iPhones get Face ID for traditional smartphone usage, the foldable gets Touch ID for its unique form factor challenges, and future devices might offer both options depending on their specific design constraints and user scenarios.

This foldable iPhone represents more than just a new form factor—it's Apple's acknowledgment that optimal solutions vary by device type and usage patterns. Sometimes the most advanced approach isn't always the most practical one, and that's a refreshing reminder that innovation isn't always about adding more technology. The engineering constraints that forced the Touch ID decision might actually result in a more user-friendly authentication experience, proving that limitations can spark genuinely better solutions than unlimited resources.