According to The Information, a source claims that Apple is currently developing “at least two” prototypes of iPhones that fold horizontally like flip phones. If Apple releases a foldable iPhone, it would be one of the biggest hardware design changes in iPhone history.
Apple Foldable iPhone Prototypes Appeared
The source says that the foldable iPhone is still in the early stages of development and is not part of the company’s production plans for 2024 or 2025, so “don’t expect it to come out soon.” Apple has recently contacted at least one manufacturer in Asia to explore components related to the two different-sized foldable iPhones.
In addition, Apple is working on a larger-sized folding iPad, but progress is still in the early stages due to challenges faced by the foldable iPhone project. The report states that Apple’s industrial design team intends to reduce the device’s thickness by half compared to the current iPhone. However, achieving these “ambitious goals” is challenging due to the actual conditions of components like batteries and displays.
The Information reports that Apple began exploring foldable iPhones as early as 2018 but paused the project around 2020, diverting attention to the foldable iPad. The foldable iPad is expected to be similar in size to the iPad mini, with an approximately 8-inch screen. Unlike the phone form factor, the foldable iPad has lower durability requirements. Additionally, as it doesn’t need to fit in a pocket, the foldable iPad can be thicker.
The report also mentions that Apple is currently researching ways to reduce creases on the screen after multiple folds and hopes the device can lie completely flat, allowing users to draw on the screen with accessories like the Apple Pencil.
Apple planning a foldable iPhone surfaced in March 2019, with reports that Samsung had supplied screens to Apple. Towards the end of 2020, there were reports that Apple had sent foldable iPhone samples to Foxconn for testing.
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