Apple's folding iPhone may inherit familiar foldable flaws, analysis says

The article, written by a self-described longtime foldable user, points to several likely shortcomings. It says the inner display will almost certainly use plastic rather than glass, making it more prone to scratches and dents. Most foldable screens are plastic, and the author argues that Apple's first foldable is unlikely to break with that pattern.

Another issue concerns the pre-installed screen protector that typically ships with foldable displays. The article notes that manufacturers such as Samsung and Google explicitly advise against removing this film, because doing so can cause touch problems or permanent damage. The same limitation could apply to the iPhone Ultra.

The piece also says foldable phones generally have worse camera hardware than conventional candybar flagships. For example, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 lacks the telephoto capabilities of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold uses smaller sensors than the Pixel 11 Pro XL. Leaks cited by Android Authority suggest the first foldable iPhone might skip a telephoto camera entirely.

Water and dust resistance remains another open question. According to the article, it took until last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold for a foldable to receive a full IP68 rating. Some recent foldables from Honor, OPPO and vivo manage IP58 or IP59 ratings without excessive bulk, while Samsung's latest models stay at IP48. Whether Apple can match that protection in a slimmer design is unclear.

Finally, the crease on foldable screens may still be an issue. Rumors have said Apple will offer a crease-free display, but the author notes that no current foldable has eliminated the crease entirely, so that promise remains unproven.

According to Android Authority, none of these problems are unique to Apple's upcoming device, but they are real enough that potential buyers should weigh them carefully before pre-ordering.