Apple Continuing Work on Folding iPhones, No Launch Until at Least 2026

[MacRumors]

Apple is actively building prototypes of at least two foldable iPhones following over five years of research and development, The Information reports.

Citing individuals with "direct knowledge" of the project, the two iPhone prototypes reportedly fold widthwise like a clamshell. The devices are in early development and do not feature in the company's mass production plans for 2024 or 2025, making 2026 the earliest possible launch time frame. The company has, however, approached at least one supplier in Asia for components related to two foldable iPhone models that come in different sizes. The report added that the foldable iPhones could still be canceled if they do not meet Apple's standards.

Apple's interest in offering a foldable iPhone is said to have fluctuated over the years. Apple CEO Tim Cook apparently first asked designers and engineers about a foldable iPhone as early as 2018. Later that year, he responded positively to a demonstration of a foldable iPhone with a 7-inch display. The company is reportedly concerned about technical challenges and offering sufficiently appealing features on the device that would justify its high price point compared to non-foldable devices.

Apple's initial vision for the foldable iPhone imagined the display residing on the outside when the phone is shut, but engineers struggled to address durability problems with this design. The industrial design team also wanted the device to be no thicker than current iPhone models when closed, which became untenable due to limitations with battery and display technology.

The company paused its work on a foldable iPhone around 2020 and pivoted toward an inward folding iPad around the size of the iPad mini, featuring an 8-inch display. Apple purportedly concluded that the device could be thicker than a foldable iPhone since users would not expect to carry it in their pocket and it would not need to pass the high durability requirements of an iPhone. An foldable iPad would also enable Apple to publicly test the product category on a smaller scale.

Engineers are currently attempting to eliminate the crease that forms in the middle of the display due to repeated folding, as well as design a hinge that allows the display to lie totally flat, rather than possessing a small bump or dip in the middle, which could inhibit the Apple Pencil. The company is reportedly working with LG and Samsung on displays for the foldable iPad.

Article Link: Apple Continuing Work on Folding iPhones, No Launch Until at Least 2026

 

[abatabia]

A foldable iPad? Count me in. A folding iPhone? Meh. They’re big enough. Just me though.

 

[Seanm87]

Why is this in political news?

EDIT: They moved it after my post

 

[TruthAboveAllElse]

A foldable iPad? Count me in. A folding iPhone? Meh. They’re big enough. Just me though.

I’m hoping they stay the same size so they can fold to be smaller.

 

[Zc456]

Apple sure has been busy lately. Now I'm curious of what the final product is going to be, if anything emerges.

 

[DVD9]

Has Tim Apple begun work on 8k video yet?

 

[Jason2000]

"Engineers are currently attempting to eliminate the crease that forms in the middle of the display due to repeated folding, as well as design a hinge that allows the display to lie totally flat, rather than possessing a small bump or dip in the middle, which could inhibit the Apple Pencil. The company is reportedly working with LG and Samsung on displays for the foldable iPad."

This is exactly what bothers me about folding devices. I just can't get over it.

 

[AlastorKatriona]

That hero image is the quintessential example of a solution in search of a problem. There is literally nothing wrong with the iPhone as is. We don't need to gimp the product just so we can fold it in half.

 

[AlastorKatriona]

"Engineers are currently attempting to eliminate the crease that forms in the middle of the display due to repeated folding, as well as design a hinge that allows the display to lie totally flat, rather than possessing a small bump or dip in the middle, which could inhibit the Apple Pencil. The company is reportedly working with LG and Samsung on displays for the foldable iPad."

This is exactly what bothers me about folding devices. I just can't get over it.

It more than bothers me. It's a reason why they shouldn't even exist.

 

[Reached]

This is a product we don't need.

 

[orev]

Of course they're going to be prototyping this, just to see where it goes.

wanted the device to be no thicker than current ‌iPhone‌ models when closed, which became untenable due to limitations with battery and display technology.

The limitation is the depth of the camera sensors/lenses, not the battery or displays which have both been proven as things that can already be made thin (iPhone 6 battery was thin, and literally all displays are already thin). Look at the Surface Duo to see what this would look like.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Instead of a folding iPhone, I’d like a collapsible camera bump.

 

[machpost]

I'm not sure who asked for this or who needs it.

 

[bb426]

Jealous. Now those damn Europeans can download Pokémon Ruby version on their favorite alt App Store emulator and whip out their new iPhone SP.

 

[redheeler]

A foldable iPad? Count me in. A folding iPhone? Meh. They’re big enough. Just me though.

What makes a foldable iPad attractive? Genuine question.

 

[lefkonj]

people break their current iPhone screen, imagine a folding one? Not sure who wants this but no thanks. Spend engineering on improving battery life or connectivity not these novelties.

 

[ninethirty]

Foldable phones are a solution in search of a problem, and Apple isn't going to release one anytime soon.

 

[antiprotest]

It's already a bother to take it out of my pocket every time I have to use my phone. I'm not going to take it out and unfold it every time. If I have a foldable phone I'll just keep it unfolded all the time.

 

[AppleTO]

I had a foldable phone 20 years ago. I have no desire to have another...

 

[blairh]

I believe we will see both clamshell and book-style folding iPhones in 2026. Android OEMs can currently make very thin book-style folding smartphones. I'm confident Apple can figure this out as well.

I don't believe in this notion of a folding iPad Mini. People want that device, but they want it as an iPhone, not iPad.

 

[timber]

Foldable phones are one of those things were it's impossible not to like the possibilities but at the same time also impossible to gloss over the current limitations (crease, strength or thickness)

Maybe some day. Or not.

 

[bassanoclapper]

Absolutely no rush for this

 

[Elusi]

Still can't wrap my head around why "flip"-phones are gaining mainstream popularity. They offer the same screen size and fit either about as well or worse in your pocket while ruining durability.

The "tablet-sized" solutions à la Galaxy Fold I get since they make tablets pocketable to begin with.

 

[Alex Cai]

What makes a foldable iPad attractive? Genuine question.

Advantage: You can possibly fit an iPad mini in your pocket.
Disadvantages:
Thicker.
Heavier, because the hinge is heavy.
Flimsy, because it is foldable.
Where do we charge the Pencil? The top is occupied by the hinge.
Even bigger camera bump.

 

[contacos]

IDK .. isn't the whole point of a FOLDABLE to FOLD it so I can put it FOLDED it in my pockets? Why do I need to fold a Tablet, only to store it in something bigger? Dumb

Reason for me to get a foldable would be the fact that I'd use it more than half the time in "phone" mode (texting, social media etc.) and only folded out for media consumption (YouTube etc.). Basically just a convenient thing when I do want something "bigger" not something smaller.