Apple Is Reportedly Developing A Foldable iPhone
A new era of the iPhone is coming soon.
By Syazwan Bahri — 09 Feb 2024, 12:08 PM
Apple is reportedly developing a prototype of a foldable iPhone
According to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to The Information, there are reports of devices being developed internally.
These devices are described as foldable clamshell-style phones, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series, rather than phones that transform into tablets like the Galaxy Z Fold or Google's Pixel Fold. The development of these phones is said to be in the early stages and there's a possibility they may not proceed to market or could be cancelled. If they do reach the market, it's unlikely to be before 2025.
Apple seems to be looking to develop the "ultimate foldable smartphone"
The report outlines numerous design challenges that Apple has encountered while working on foldable phones, including issues with thickness when folded, susceptibility to damage, higher cost compared to non-foldable models, visibility and tactile feel of the seam in the middle of the display, and difficulties with the device lying flat due to the hinge.
Many of these challenges mirror the criticisms faced by current foldable Android phones, which continue to struggle with durability concerns and premium pricing even after multiple hardware iterations. For instance, the initial Pixel Fold didn't withstand the pre-release review period.
Consequently, these durability concerns and the relatively high cost have resulted in foldable phones accounting for only about 1.6% of overall smartphone sales, according to recent analyst estimates.
The current iPhone models seem to be at their peak
It makes sense for Apple to explore significant innovations as it considers the future of the iPhone design. There may be limited room for further improvement on the current full-screen iPhone design that was introduced with the iPhone X in 2017. Foldable phones might only become part of Apple's future lineup if the company can successfully address the same challenges that have hindered other foldable devices.
However, it's worth noting that Apple has a strong track record of overcoming technological hurdles throughout its decades-long history, which could bode well for its ability to tackle the issues associated with foldable phones.
