We at NerdLeaks are tracking a fresh rumour that suggests Apple is already moving fast on a follow-up to its much-rumoured folding iPhone — reportedly even before the company has unveiled its first foldable handset.
What Was Reported
According to Insider Gaming, which cites a Bloomberg report, Apple is expected to debut a foldable iPhone this September. The same Bloomberg reporting allegedly claims that a second-generation foldable device, code-named “v78”, is planned for 2027.
The report also asserts that Apple is planning special devices for 2027 to mark the 20th anniversary of the first iPhone’s release. These anniversary models are described as having a nearly edge-to-edge display with curved glass that wraps around the sides and are reportedly code-named “V73” and “V74”. Per the same summary, those anniversary devices are planned as successors to the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, which are said to debut later this year.
Insider Gaming also reports that the first-generation foldable and the upcoming Pro models will run on an A20 processor codenamed “Borneo”. Additionally, the reporting claims the standard iPhone 18 model is not planned until 2027. For context in the market, Insider Gaming notes that Samsung launched the first foldable phone in 2019.
The Source & Credibility
Who Reported It
We are relaying reporting from Insider Gaming, which in turn references a Bloomberg report. Take this with a pinch of salt: multiple layers of reporting can sometimes amplify tentative claims, so treat the sequence — Insider Gaming summarising Bloomberg — as part of the chain you should consider when weighing credibility.
How Confident Should You Be?
The claims include specific code names (v78, V73, V74, and Borneo) and concrete timing (a foldable in September, follow-ups in 2027), which can lend an air of detail. However, we note that these are still reported as plans and codenames, and not official announcements from Apple. As such, this should be treated as alleged product roadmap information — interesting and potentially meaningful if true, but not confirmed by the company named.
What It Could Mean
If these claims hold up, several implications follow. First, a launch this September would position Apple to enter the foldable market promptly, and the existence of a second-generation foldable codenamed v78 planned for 2027 would indicate the company is treating foldables as a multi-year product line rather than a one-off experiment.
Second, the mention of anniversary devices with nearly edge-to-edge displays and curved glass that wraps around the sides (V73 and V74) suggests Apple might be pursuing industrial design ambitions beyond simply folding displays — if true, these would be distinct from the foldable narrative and aimed at marking a milestone in the iPhone line.
Third, the processor detail — an A20 chip codenamed “Borneo” powering both the foldable and Pro models — implies a shared silicon strategy across major product lines. Finally, the reported delay of the baseline iPhone 18 until 2027 would be notable for buyers who usually opt for the standard model rather than Pro flavors.
All of the above should be read as speculative until Apple provides official confirmation or when primary reporting from Bloomberg is made available to the public. Still, if any of these plans are accurate, they reveal a fairly aggressive roadmap.
Why This Matters
Allegedly having a second-gen foldable already in development would be a strong signal that Apple intends to commit to foldable devices beyond a single launch. For consumers and the wider tech industry, that would change how we think about the longevity and support for a foldable iPhone line.
Moreover, the idea of anniversary models with a nearly edge-to-edge, wraparound curved-glass design — if true — suggests Apple could be preparing bold aesthetics and potentially new engineering approaches for its flagship phones. And the suggestion that multiple upcoming devices share the same chipset codename, “Borneo”, hints at coordinated performance and feature expectations across a range of devices.
We’ll keep watching for primary confirmation from Bloomberg or an official communication from Apple. For now, treat these reported plans as intriguing and potentially game-changing — but unconfirmed. As always, take this with a pinch of salt and feel free to discuss in our community if these rumours get you as excited (or as sceptical) as we are.
