Were still over a year away from Apples first foldable iPhone launching. But per one analysts new report, prior rumors have apparently had a key detail of the foldable wrong. Thanks to the latest reveal, the new iPhone Fold makes a lot more sense than before.Long-rumored foldable iPhone is actually becoming realIn some ways, foldable iPhone rumors remind me of the long-gestating-then-cancelled Apple Car project.For years, leakers have wrongly claimed Apple would be launching a foldable iPhone soon. But its only in the past year that those rumblings have started to carry some weight.Multiple credible sources, such as Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Ming-Chi Kuo, and The Information, have said Apples first foldable iPhone is actually happening. And Apple is reportedly targeting a fall 2026 launch.As of last summer, however, reporting pointed to a top-down fold design.Like the flip phones of ancient times, this would allow the iPhone to be super compact when not in use, then unfold to offer a taller display.But the latest reporting has taken a big turn.iPhone will reportedly have book-style design, not top-down foldMing Chi-Kuo today posted an overview of what he expects from the 2026 foldable iPhone.Amid a variety of fascinating details, Kuo writes:The foldable iPhone will have a book-style design, featuring an approximately 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and an approximately 5.5-inch outer display.This book-style design is a departure from whats been previously thought. Kuos strength, however, is his supply chain sources. And those are the exact sorts of people who would know details like this.My early reaction, aside from surprise, has been two-fold: Ive experienced relief and excitement.Why? Because a book-style fold makes a lot more sense to me than what we expected before.One of my all-time favorite Apple devices is the iPad mini. I havent used one much in recent years, since all my work is done on the 13-inch iPad Pro. I dont want the mental overhead of managing a second iPad on top of an iPad Pro and iPhone.But a foldable iPhone with the specs Kuo mentions could be like a perfect two-in-one device.It would offer the convenience of an iPhones portability while also boasting an unfolded screen that comes awfully close to the 7.9 inch size of the old iPad minis I always loved.A device like this clearly wouldnt be Apple creating a foldable just for the sake of following a trend. A book-style foldable iPhone would offer a truly new kind of utility not present in Apples current lineup.The top-down folding iPhone didnt make much sense to me, but this new reveal has me eager to learn more about 2026s foldable debut.Are you interested in the iPhone Fold? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel