Apple Has Sent Folding iPhones to Foxconn for Testing, According to Chinese Report

[MacRumors]

Apple has begun sending foldable iPhones to assembly partner Foxconn for testing purposes, with a projected release set for September 2022, claims a new Chinese report out today.

Citing supply chain sources, Economic Daily News says the testing involves evaluating the use of OLED or Micro-LED display technology, because the choice of either screen will affect the subsequent assembly methods.

Apple is also said to have asked Foxconn to evaluate the bearings (the folding component) of the devices with over 100,000 opening and closing tests. The report notes similar tests for regular laptops requires them to be opened and closed between 20,000 and 30,000 times.

The report offers no additional information on the design of the foldable device, but does note that Samsung will provide the panel for the screen, potentially corroborating rumors that Apple has ordered foldable display samples from the Korean company.

According to leaker Jon Prosser, Apple is working on a foldable iPhone prototype that features two separate display panels that are connected by a hinge rather than a single display like the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Prosser says that the foldable ‌iPhone‌ has rounded, stainless steel edges similar to the iPhone 11 and no notch, but a "tiny forehead" on the outer display for Face ID.

Rumors about Apple working on a foldable iPhone date back to 2016, and there have been a number of foldable phone Apple patents, including one describing a device with two separate displays that could be brought together to create a single bendable device with a hinge. That said, foldable iPhone rumors offer no consensus on if or when such a device will come to market.


Article Link: Apple Has Sent Folding iPhones to Foxconn for Testing, According to Chinese Report

 

[adamryan1983]

I think folding phones are one of those 'just because you can doesn't mean you should' types of technology.

 

[SWAON]

If there is a notch, It'll be just beyond stupid.. no matter if it's 360 degree iPhone or foldable.

 

[Stella]

Its not surprising, Apple will want to evaluate folding screens.

Apple’s concept may well be very different than existing products, where folding screen may be used differently.

 

[Piggie]

The idea of a phone that turns in a small tablet I find very appealing.
I'm sure many people would agree.
It's just we don't really seem to have any technology out right now to make this a desirable item right now.

 

[rmoliv]

Folding phones are just a FAD. Drop it!

 

[trerep]

2.999 $

 

[dumastudetto]

Take my money now, all $5,000 of it.

 

[NewUsername]

So if you unfold it, iOS becomes iPadOS?

 

[LeeW]

100,000 opening and closing tests

It will need to go well beyond that based on the number of time I see my wife looking at her phone.

 

[Makosuke]

According to leaker Jon Prosser, Apple is working on a foldable iPhone prototype that features two separate display panels that are connected by a hinge rather than a single display like the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

I'm not really sold on a folding phone for several reasons, but I've been saying for quite a while that with anything even resembling current technology a phone with two separate screens that meet up with little to no break between them seems like a vastly better idea than a flexible screen wrapped around the hinge. The only reason I can think of that this isn't what other companies are pursuing is that they've figured out how to manufacture a flexible screen so are dead-set on finding a way to sell them.

I'm wiling to be proven wrong some day, but foldable screens--which is not necessarily the same thing as a foldable phone--still seem like a solution searching for a problem.

 

[Makosuke]

It will need to go well beyond that based on the number of time I see my wife looking at her phone.

It'd be interesting to see how many times people briefly use their phone per day. I'll just assume that it's got something on the outside that can be glanced at for the time or whatnot, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the average number of "phone opens" was in the range of 50 per day, possibly much more.

It's certainly going to be way more times than someone opens and closes their laptop in a day, even if they're a heavy user.

At 100 per day, 100,000 would be about 3 years of heavy use, so it's at least possible that a hinge with that kind of lifespan would last 3-5 years, but I'd want to see a significantly bigger number before I felt confident spending $1000+ on one if I intended to keep it past the end of the warranty.

 

[DaRev]

Just what we all needed, double the screens to break. Not a big fan of the foldable phone craze.

 

[Smici]

So if you unfold it, iOS becomes iPadOS?

And if you attach it to the magic keyboard, ipados becomes macos?

Foldable phones will be good only if they somehow can solve the display with a proper gorilla glass, with that pencil support will be amazing with a foldable phones.

 

[retta283]

Just because they're doing this doesn't mean it's 100% a product yet, they will probably take some time to release one. If they do, hopefully they'll have one that's not extremely unreliable, but time will tell

 

[Juicy Box]

I see the appeal of a device that I could use one-handed and fit in a back pocket like a small iPhone, but have the larger screen of an iPad Mini when I can have two hands on it.

I wouldn't pay over $1000 for it though.

 

[hagjohn]

If they could produce good quality panels, I would definitely do it, as long as the cost isn't outrageous.

 

[iamPro]

I think folding phones are one of those 'just because you can doesn't mean you should' types of technology.

I think it’s a great idea once the tech matures. Once it becomes at least the same weight and thinness as the current iPad mini like devices, I see no reason to be against the idea. Even being rolled up like the LG TV would be an interesting future for all portable devices with a screen.

I think people easily bash the efforts like Samsung and the like when treading new territory with new tech. Yes, Apple is the king at perfecting existing technology or products, but if there were no “Samsungs” or even the pre iPhone era smart phones, we’d have no iPhones.

 

[Grey Area]

I think folding phones are one of those 'just because you can doesn't mean you should' types of technology.

I think the general concept is good - large screen in a small footprint. But the materials science does not seem ready yet, and who knows if it will ever be. I enjoy reading about the developments, though, and I keep my fingers crossed for everyone working on these.

 

[lordhamster]

Just what we all needed, double the screens to break. Not a big fan of the foldable phone craze.

Most of the early attempts thus far have sucked for sure. The Microsoft take on this has been the most appealing to me.

I see the appeal of a device that I could use one-handed and fit in a back pocket like a small iPhone, but have the larger screen of an iPad Mini when I can have two hands on it.

I wouldn't pay over $1000 for it though.

I like the idea, but for me I'd want glass screens. I really don't like fragile plastic screens. I think an apple take on the Microsoft surface-duo would be cool. For me it would need three things for me to buy:

• Glass screens, no plastic crap.
• Ability to be used as a computer... aka Samsung Dex like mode.
• Forgot what my third thing was.

Anyway, if it could replace my phone, iPad, AND be used as a poor man's computer when hooked to a keyboard/mouse/monitor, I'd pay $2000 for it. Right now, I don't have a personal computer only work computers, so my phone/iPad are my only "personal" devices. I'd love for an all-in-one device for all my needs.

 

[rubenhas]

I find the idea of a double screened, hinged design way more appealing than those plastic covered foldable screens currently on the market.

 

[lucansmiles]

Apple, please, don't do it...

 

[ginuz]

bah, worst idea ever... hope they won't do it

 

[paulypants]

But..WHY?

 

[Serban55]

An 13” ipad that folded becomes a Tv and controlling with AR glasses .. this way the inter display will not be touched or scratched