According to journalists, the company currently has two prototypes of the foldable iPhone, but mass production is still at least two years away. Engineers want to reduce the thickness by half.
Apple is considering a foldable iPhone and has already created two clamshell prototypes, but it wants to improve them. This was reported by The Information, citing inside sources.
Although prototypes of the foldable iPhone already exist, the development process is far from completed. The first Apple iPhones with a flexible display are expected to appear before 2026, seven years after the launch of the first foldable smartphone from its main rival, the Samsung Galaxy Fold.
Important
There are a few issues Apple wants to solve before launching foldable iPhones. Engineers still haven’t adequately solved the problem of debris between the two folding halves. Another challenge is creating features that will make the foldable iPhone an attractive enough option for consumers. This is critical considering the higher prices of foldable phones compared to more traditional form factors.
The company’s engineers also wanted to make each half of the foldable device twice as thin as the current iPhone, so that it would be about the same thickness when folded. But battery size and the physical limitations of the display still prevent this from happening.
Apple has been developing a foldable smartphone for several years. It seems more likely that Apple’s first foldable device will be an iPad, not an iPhone, if it decides to launch it. This would pose less risk for the company than creating a foldable version of its flagship product. Apple wouldn’t have to worry so much about the thickness of the foldable iPad. The tablet doesn’t need to meet higher standards in drop tests either. According to The Information, Apple has been developing such a tablet since at least 2020.
Speaking of the foldable iPad, it still has some issues. Engineers are working to reduce the crease that appears in the middle of the screen after many folds. Apple is also trying to make sure that the screen is completely flat when you open it and there are no protrusions or depressions in the middle. It took Samsung several years and several iterations of foldable devices to develop a hinge that eliminates the gap between the two halves of the Galaxy Fold and Flip.
Despite several years of history, foldable smartphones have limited popularity, mainly due to their high cost. The best-selling phones of all time are the simplest push-button devices.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.