Apple’s First Folding Smartphone: A Detailed Hands-On Review. Apple has officially ventured into the foldable smartphone segment, introducing a device that has been heavily anticipated by tech enthusiasts worldwide. After years of speculation, the device is finally here, and we managed to get our hands on it to put its claims to the test. Right from the packaging to everyday multitasking, let’s dive deep into what Apple’s inaugural foldable brings to the table. Unboxing & First Impressions True to recent environmental trends, the retail box is notably slim. Lifting the lid reveals the phone itself, alongside a single USB-C charging cable. Interestingly, you won’t find a SIM ejector tool inside because the device relies purely on digital eSIM technology, eliminating the physical SIM slot entirely. To understand the sudden shift of lifestyle accessory makers entering the mobile market, read our in-depth analysis on Are Indian Homegrown Brands Fooling You? The Truth Behind the Smartphone Market Boom When you first hold the device, the initial impressions are a mixture of premium engineering and minor ergonomic surprises. Weighing in at around 250 grams, it feels quite substantial in the hand. Furthermore, when folded, it is noticeably thicker than many of its slimline Android competitors from brands like Samsung and Xiaomi. Build Quality, Materials & Ergonomics The device features a striking, shiny titanium frame paired with a sophisticated matte glass back. The finish feels incredibly solid and robust. The camera bump on the rear features a subtle, smooth slope that prevents your fingers from catching sharp edges when holding it single-handedly. Opening the phone with one hand is surprisingly effortless. The custom hinge mechanism starts off very smooth, builds up gentle resistance right around the halfway point, and finally snaps shut with a highly satisfying magnetic click at the end. Before making your next purchase, explore our comprehensive breakdown in The Ultimate Indian Smartphone Buyer’s Guide (September–October 2026): Upcoming Releases, Key Specs & Category Champions. However, button placement introduces a few curious design quirks. The power button sits on the side, the volume rockers are positioned near the top, and a dedicated camera button is placed lower down. For right-handed users, reaching the camera button while maintaining a secure grip can feel slightly awkward, while left-handed users might find the layout requires some getting used to. Display, Hinge Mechanism & The Crease Unfolding the device reveals a gorgeous inner screen protected by a nano-texture matte glass finish. This matte texture gives the display a paper-like feel, eliminating annoying glare and making finger-sliding exceptionally smooth for gaming and media consumption. Remarkably, for a first-generation product, Apple has done an impressive job masking the central crease. While you can still feel a very subtle indentation if you run your finger directly across the middle, it remains almost entirely invisible to the naked eye during normal use. Additionally, the inner selfie camera is cleverly hidden beneath a punch-hole cutout that vanishes completely into the content when you aren’t actively using the camera app. If you are planning to delay your purchase for newer models, check out our roundup of the Best Upcoming Phone Launches in India: What’s Worth Waiting For? Read full Hands-on Review here!