(Reuters) – Apple (NASDAQ:) will likely launch its foldable iPhone as early as 2026, Information reported on Tuesday, in what could be the biggest design change yet for the company’s most popular product.

The Cupertino, California-based company’s plan to launch a foldable iPhone could be similar to the move by Samsung Electronics (KS:), which pioneered foldable phones in 2019, looking to attract recent customers with a major hardware design overhaul.

As we read in the report, citing two people with knowledge of the matter, work on Apple’s foldable iPhone has already progressed beyond the idea phase.

The company has asked suppliers in Asia to supply components for the device, Information said, adding that the iPhone maker has given the product an internal codename of V68.

Foldable smartphones with AI features are expected to spur demand for the iPhone maker, which faces stiff competition from Honor and Huawei in China and Samsung globally.

Samsung unveiled its latest foldable smartphones in early July, making its most pricey flagship model lighter and thinner, and also equipped with recent AI features.

According to a May report by Counterpoint Research, the global foldable smartphone market grew 49% in the first quarter from a year earlier, marking the highest growth rate in six quarters. Huawei topped the rankings for the first time, surpassing Samsung.

Apple also plans to introduce a camera improvement in at least one iPhone model that would allow users to control the size of the aperture using a mechanical system, potentially allowing users to achieve a depth-of-field effect, the news report added.

The report also said there is no guarantee that Apple will release a foldable iPhone.

Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.