Cupertino: Apple is reportedly advancing its plans to enter the foldable smartphone market, with fresh rumours suggesting that the company’s first foldable iPhone widely dubbed the iPhone Fold, could feature a punch-hole display instead of the current Dynamic Island design.

According to a new leak from noted Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, the external display of the upcoming foldable iPhone will incorporate “hole screen technology,” aligning with earlier reports indicating a shift towards a more minimalist front-facing camera layout.

This move mirrors speculation about Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which are also expected to abandon the Dynamic Island in favour of a smaller, punch-hole cutout. This design evolution is said to be enabled by relocating the Face ID components beneath the display, a long-rumoured step in Apple's screen innovation roadmap.

However, it’s still unclear where exactly the punch-hole will be placed on the iPhone Fold. While some reports suggest a centrally positioned cutout, it is more likely Apple will keep the camera aligned to the top-left corner, consistent with the design language expected across the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Notably, the only model anticipated to retain the Dynamic Island is the iPhone 18 Air, which is expected to debut in fall 2025.

Adding fuel to the fire, analyst Jeff Pu recently reported that Apple has moved into the New Product Introduction (NPI) stage for its foldable devices at manufacturing partner Foxconn. The company is said to be developing two foldable products: a foldable iPhone and a foldable iPad, signalling a major step forward after years of speculation.

If all goes according to plan, mass production is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with a commercial launch likely by the end of that year or in early 2027.

While Apple has yet to confirm any official details about its foldable devices, the consistent stream of leaks and analyst updates points to a serious effort to challenge competitors like Samsung and Huawei, who have already carved out a niche in the foldable tech market.