Apple's First Foldable Device Won't Be an iPhone, Say Supply Chain Sources

[Nclaire44]

It makes sense for an iPad.

• Folded = Tablet mode.
• Unfold as on the article picture = "ultraportable laptop mode"
• Unfold in portrait mode + attach some magnetic full size keyboard + trackpad = big size screen (a bonus would be: use macOS in this mode).

I really believe this is an interesting future where MacBooks would be only for graphic designers and people who need maximum power.

 

[McG2k1]

An iPad Pro that folds to a mini would do well in my household. Just need to figure out their ratios. Glad Apple is going to be the first to market with a foldable screen device. innovation.

 

[progx]

Foldable iPad... that would be interesting to start with rather than the iPhone. Probably the mini or the iPad Fold? Could help spur extra sales initially, but if it's still the same iPad with a fold I doubt it would continue to press forward. Wait and see if anything materializes from this rumor.

 

[nfl46]

I’m excited to see what they would put out.

 

[anthogag]

iPad mini Pro could be a good first foldable from Apple.

 

[kemal]

Foldable tablet with that screen crease? YUCK!

 

[XboxEvolved]

The only way I can see this really becoming a "thing" is if it was an iPad. I've not seen to many foldables out in the wild personally, and I've messed around with all of them at Best Buy and whatnot. I still don't fully get the appeal of them other than it's something neat, but durability is just a massive factor so hopefully they've taken this long to address those sorts of issues but we will see. If their most recent product debut has proven anything, Apple can only do so much within the bounds of physics and current tech and I don't see any current tech that makes these things much more durable than when they first were released.

 

[antnythr]

Apple will be like you’ve seen a screen fold once… we folded it twice!

Introducing iPad Ultra, and it unfolds into a 48” iPad.

 

[syklee26]

You guys got it all wrong:

It is foldable cleaning cloth

 

[kahwatter]

Apple is now deciding on the design of its first foldable device as work on the project ramps up, DigiTimes reports.

Citing Taiwanese supply chain sources in a paywalled report, DigiTimes claims that Apple has been developing its first foldable product for at least five years. Corroborating previous rumors, the publication claims that the foldable is set to be a "larger device" rather than an iPhone, instead embodying a tablet or notebook. Design efforts on the device are now said to be converging ahead of plans for mass production.

Since hinge mechanisms for foldable devices have become increasingly advanced in recent years, the main problem for Apple's foldable is said to be developing a panel that meets its quality demands. The report adds that Apple's rumored suspension of Samsung foldable display panel development and internal reorganization to move Vision Pro engineers to the foldable project are not contradictory moves, since the company is overwhelmingly prioritizing quality.

The report clarified that Apple has not suspended work on foldable devices, with the company allegedly now possessing multiple departments responsible for different foldable product lines. Apple's first foldable device will not launch until 2025 at the earliest.

Article Link: Apple's First Foldable Device Won't Be an iPhone, Say Supply Chain Sources

Hi Apple. We don’t want this.

 

[klasma]

I think they mean foldable-display devices. Apple already has foldable devices.

 

[gleepskip]

Is Apple looking to become the company known for solutions in search of a problem? (see AVP)

 

[VulchR]

Comments from people who have no clue about current foldables and will say they do not need one coming in 3...

I don't need a foldable screen device.

 

[ph001bi]

Apple is now deciding on the design of its first foldable device as work on the project ramps up, DigiTimes reports.

Citing Taiwanese supply chain sources in a paywalled report, DigiTimes claims that Apple has been developing its first foldable product for at least five years. Corroborating previous rumors, the publication claims that the foldable is set to be a "larger device" rather than an iPhone, instead embodying a tablet or notebook. Design efforts on the device are now said to be converging ahead of plans for mass production.

Since hinge mechanisms for foldable devices have become increasingly advanced in recent years, the main problem for Apple's foldable is said to be developing a panel that meets its quality demands. The report adds that Apple's rumored suspension of Samsung foldable display panel development and internal reorganization to move Vision Pro engineers to the foldable project are not contradictory moves, since the company is overwhelmingly prioritizing quality.

The report clarified that Apple has not suspended work on foldable devices, with the company allegedly now possessing multiple departments responsible for different foldable product lines. Apple's first foldable device will not launch until 2025 at the earliest.

Article Link: Apple's First Foldable Device Won't Be an iPhone, Say Supply Chain Sources

If Digitimes says it will not be a foldable iPhone but a foldable iPad we can be 100% sure it will be a foldable iPhone.

 

[klasma]

Nothing folded that i have seen yet seems to be a good form factor...

It works well for ladders, rulers, drying racks, and ironing boards.

 

[klasma]

Apple will be like you’ve seen a screen fold once… we folded it twice!

Introducing iPad Ultra, and it unfolds into a 48” iPad.

origamiPad

 

[Thomas Davie]

Ok, now we’re talking. What I want is a device with a 12.9 IPP form factor when folded and about 600x440 mm unfolded; about 30 inches diagonal. Sold on day 1. I’m going off the top of my head, but double screen size of a 12.9 IPP

Tom

 

[MallardDuck]

So...this is the new version of the touch bar? Why would I want something like this and lose the tactile feedback of the keyboard?

I'm highly skeptical of durability too. 'Foldgate' is waiting in the wings.

Foldable screens is kinda like block chain. It's a solution in search of a problem.

 

[ChromeAce]

Notebooks fold already.

 

[klasma]

Is Apple looking to become the company known for solutions in search of a problem? (see AVP)

Shareholders in search for alpha.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Corroborating previous rumors, the publication claims that the foldable is set to be a "larger device" rather than an iPhone, instead embodying a tablet or notebook.

There’s a good reason why it won’t be iPhone for foldable: it’s going to be too bulky.

From apple’s stance, any foldable phone is going to be too bulky. When user wants a phone, they want it to be thin and portable, light weight and most importantly comfortable to use. Foldable phones so far have been too bulky when folded up (see flip Z and Fold, too bulky and like a brick when folded up) and even when unfolded, it’s too uncomfortable to use as a phone. (See Fold. Flip Z, it’s easier to use when unfolded)

This is why it makes sense for Apple’s first foldable to be an iPad. Tablets are perfect candidate for foldable. When not in use, it can be folded up, and can be stored in a pocket or anywhere for maximum portability. What I am hearing from industrial chatter is that Apple is developing a “Pro” version of iPad mini that is just as powerful as full sized version but much portable for people working on the field.

 

[jz0309]

Digitizes chiming in on existing rumors ... so it's over a year away and shall be interesting what Apple comes up with

 

[ThaGoochiestMane]

Yes, there's several variations of that with screens folding UP like that one and OUT (left & right) too...

...all in the ongoing pursuit of finding ways to bring more screen R.E. to "mobile" devices. That's what behind this fold & roll push by many: how to combine bigger screens with mobile tech.

This is really where the Vpro concept fits in nicely. Instead of added weight and balancing issues, virtualize any-size screens. Then, we don't need a 50" traditional laptop or a 100" laptop or a 30" Tablet, etc. One device can bring any size of screen to computers, tablets and phones... maybe even Watch.

What I would like to see is the lidless laptop product- a modern take on Commodore 64 and Amiga 500 to pair with Vpro for the "lid" portion. People already make these from existing MBs by basically removing the lids and it WORKS...

Put that skinny slab plus a Vpro in a lean-sized bag for a new kind of laptop concept with any-size screen.

Doesn't Vision Pro work like the HoloLens and you can just connect a BT keyboard + mouse to it? If so, couldn't you just buy a much cheaper (and smaller) BT keyboard + mouse?

I can absolutely see Apple releasing something like this, but imagining how expensive this sort of accessory would be I can't believe it'd be a good value.

 

[ThaGoochiestMane]

Is Apple looking to become the company known for solutions in search of a problem? (see AVP)

Unfortunately, Apple isn't even that "innovative" anymore. Haven't you heard the rumors about Apple's own Aura-ring?

They really seem to just copy other companies at this stage, knowing that these companies' devices won't pose a threat to users entrenched in Apple's ecosystem, but they could make similar devices to sell to their own audience.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Doesn't Vision Pro work like the HoloLens and you can just connect a BT keyboard + mouse to it? If so, couldn't you just buy a much cheaper (and smaller) BT keyboard + mouse?

I can absolutely see Apple releasing something like this, but imagining how expensive this sort of accessory would be I can't believe it'd be a good value.

Yes, but if you want Mac app (power) you want to use this with a Mac computer. In other words, the use I described lets the Mac apply Mac horsepower in Mac apps to a super-sized virtual Mac screen.

If iPad app (power) is good enough, then yes, a much cheaper & smaller option would be using BT keyboard and track pad... and there are some pretty-well-rated ones that can fold down to a relatively small package in support of this mobile laptop concept... like this one...

IMO: the bottom half of something like a 13" MBair with Vpro seems to be a "have your cake and eat it too" compromise for portability and power within this concept.

The way people are already getting it is buying damaged screen MBs for cheap and removing the lids. Then it "just works" as I've described.