At the IFA 2026 trade show in Berlin, which still resembled a construction site when it opened, accessory makers were already showing off cases and mockups for upcoming iPhones — even though Apple itself has made no official announcement. The official unveiling of the new models is scheduled for next Wednesday.
According to a correspondent who visited the show, mockups and cases specifically designed for the new iPhones turned up surprisingly often among the booths showcasing Samsung and other electronics makers' products. Accessory manufacturers have little choice but to prepare their products in advance so they can start selling them the moment the new phones officially hit the market.
At the Epico booth, the new cases weren't just on display — visitors could film them too. Several models were shown for upcoming smartphones, and their shapes give a fairly precise idea of the future design: the camera cutouts and body proportions suggest these are tailored to a specific iPhone generation rather than generic placeholders.
Accessories like these, unveiled just ahead of the official premiere, have become one of the best ways to peek behind the curtain of Apple's development process.
Case makers are also gearing up for the long-awaited foldable iPhone, widely referred to in the market as the "Ultra" model. A mockup spotted at one promotional booth opens like a book: closed, it looks like an ordinary smartphone, but unfolded it reveals a large display. Cases and other accessories for this model were displayed alongside it.
According to leaks so far, the foldable iPhone is expected to be the headline addition to this year's entire lineup. Speculation points to a design similar to the Galaxy Z Fold, with a small outer screen and a considerably larger inner display. Apple is reportedly aiming to solve one of the biggest problems plaguing today's foldable phones — the visible crease on the screen — while also using an extremely thin body and a new hinge mechanism.
If the leaks hold up, we're talking about a device whose unfolded screen size would be closer to a small tablet than to a regular iPhone. Still, its final look and specs will only become clear at Apple's traditional autumn presentation, set for next Wednesday.
Source: novinky.cz