Apple is Exploring an 'iPhone Flip'

[MacRumors]

Apple is "exploring" the idea of a foldable iPhone with a "square, clamshell-style" design, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

A so-called "iPhone Flip" — unlikely to be the real name — would compete with devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the modern-day Motorola Razr.

The clamshell iPhone would be released at some point after Apple's first foldable iPhone, which is expected to launch in September this year.

The first foldable iPhone is expected to open up like a book, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7. This design will provide users with a large 7.7-inch inner display for watching videos and gaming, and there will likely be multitasking functionality. A clamshell iPhone, on the other hand, would be more about portability and pocketability.

"Apple is betting that its first foldable iPhone will be successful enough to generate real demand for the category and that customers will want additional shapes and sizes, much as they have with traditional slab-style iPhones," said Gurman. Nevertheless, he said a clamshell iPhone is "far from guaranteed to reach the market."

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Article Link: Apple is Exploring an 'iPhone Flip'

 

[MacTwick]

I like the idea of a normal sized iPhone when folded and then an iPad mini sized iPhone when unfolded. Would people want this type of fold?

 

[System603]

This is the *one* I am waiting on. Not into the Fold format and size. If Apple does a clamshell right, it could be the new iPhone mini, actually pocket-friendly. If it ends up reasonably thick + durable, it’s a winner for me.

edit: reworded, added why

 

[christarp]

I like the idea of a normal sized iPhone when folded and then an iPad mini sized iPhone when unfolded. Would people want this type of fold?

I personally would, I don’t need a large screen on my phone, and I’d like to save room in my pockets as long as it’s not extremely thick. Also I know a lot of women like this form factor too for the same reasons

 

[xARx2]

I’ve always been more partial to the “flip” than the “fold”—the extra square real estate in the fold is useless. a smaller footprint is invaluable! bring on the flip

 

[everybodylovesramen]

until iOS actually has a really update other than some transparency on icons and text this won’t be too great.

 

[MacTwick]

I personally would, I don’t need a large screen on my phone, and I’d like to save room in my pockets as long as it’s not extremely thick. Also I know a lot of women like this form factor too for the same reasons

Gotcha, yeah now that you mention it I do miss my iPhone Mini!

 

[Macbookey]

A flip iPhone Air would be really nice. Definitely interested.

 

[ChrisMac47]

Here's a much better idea: a non-folding phone with a 5.4 inch display, dimensions 64x131x7.6mm, weight 140g ... and call it "iPhone Mini". Or better yet, 59x123x6.1mm, 88g and call it "iPhone Touch" !

 

[zombierunner]

How about a folding ipad pro. It would be very useful when travelling.

 

[jz0309]

No doubt. And they are exploring tri-folds too.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The ad line could be ‘The iPhone Flip… not just for flipping off old men.’

 

[swm]

i think from reliability standpoint this is the stupidest idea ever, as the flip phone operation puts the most wear and tear on the screen if it has to bend: the device is simply too small to make any use of it when closed. i don't like the fold concept, but that at least has an external screen so you can operate it to a certain extent without needing to open it up.
but the flip folding iPhone is like a bet: can i break it within the warranty period?

 

[Eric_WVGG]

The best thing about an iPhone Flip is all us Mini fans finally shutting up 🤪

 

[wexmoney]

Here's a much better idea: a non-folding phone with a 5.4 inch display, dimensions 64x131x7.6mm, weight 140g ... and call it "iPhone Mini". Or better yet, 59x123x6.1mm, 88g and call it "iPhone Touch" !

I think that this is not an "iPhone Mini" and nothing called the "iPhone Touch" should ever exist. Apple will probably figure out some really weird thing to name it that will make everyone go "I wish I thought of that as a name" like "iPhone Shell" or "iShell" and make it ocean themed.

 

[JTK Awesome]

Keep it. In the feature-phone days I preferred candy-bar phones to flip-phones. Thinner in your pocket, less mass and volume (due to lack of hinges), cheaper overall.

I miss those days.

I still don't "get" this obsession with foldable smartphones. But if you enjoy paying more for a chunk device that'll develop a crease in the display, U do U.

Come back when we have displays with paper-like flexibility.

 

[EM2013]

Let’s bring back physical keyboards while we’re at it 🤣

 

[Zito Abroad]

It can't be asked enough, where would the industry be if it weren't for Samsung's world leading display innovation, and their never ending desire to keep tech exciting and move on from that boring slab form factor? All the while Apple looks to only maximize profits until other companies like Samsung, and all the consumer who pay for bleeding edge tech, do all the heavy lifting with making these new form factors mainstream. This why I'll never buy another iPhone. My money is on the companies who will actually bear the cost and risks of introducing new tech to move the industry forward. Nothing worse than coattail riders.

 

[mclaren1444]

Would absolutely buy this over an iPhone fold.

 

[kenta_]

It can't be asked enough, where would the industry be if it weren't for Samsung's world leading display innovation, and their never ending desire to keep tech exciting and move on from that boring slab form factor? All the while Apple looks to only maximize profits until other companies like Samsung, and all the consumer who pay for bleeding edge tech, do all the heavy lifting with making these new form factors mainstream. This why I'll never buy another iPhone. My money is on the companies who will actually bear the cost and risks of introducing new tech to move the industry forward. Nothing worse than coattail riders.

Definitely a lot of truth to that. Apple integrates, while Samsung innovates.

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Glad to hear Apple is exploring the flip model following Samsung. It means Apple is expanding the foldable flip phone type to include demographic who like this phone type. Well thought!

 

[Thymio]

I like the idea of a normal sized iPhone when folded and then an iPad mini sized iPhone when unfolded. Would people want this type of fold?

The flip seems like a much nicer proposition to me.

 

[jabbawok]

It can't be asked enough, where would the industry be if it weren't for Samsung's world leading display innovation, and their never ending desire to keep tech exciting and move on from that boring slab form factor? All the while Apple looks to only maximize profits until other companies like Samsung, and all the consumer who pay for bleeding edge tech, do all the heavy lifting with making these new form factors mainstream. This why I'll never buy another iPhone. My money is on the companies who will actually bear the cost and risks of introducing new tech to move the industry forward. Nothing worse than coattail riders.

The downside to that is having to use unfinished products. Apple like to wait until technology is pretty much mature before using it in the their products. I’ve seen a lot of fold/flips in the wild and most of them looked terrible. The crease would be cloudy and rippled and there was often dirt in screen layers. And don’t forget Samsung shamelessly rip of Apples deign language all the time. Their latest ultra watch for example is all titanium and orange with a “quick button”. Also I think Samsung and LG are pretty happy to have Apple as a customer, as it’s a pretty good way to maximise their profits.

 

[theorist9]

As others have mentioned, an "iPhone flip" could be a possible Mini replacement because, like the Mini, it will be easily pocketable. And based on the Samsung Flip, it should also be easily usable one-handed.

However, the third key Mini characterstic I like is its light weight. And if it's anything like the Samsung Flip, an iPhone flip won't offer that, instead being comparable in weight to a regular iPhone (13 Mini is 141 g, iPhone 17 is 177 g, Flip 7 is 188 g).

 

[Bokito]

The only reason I would want a flip iPhone is to look just as cool as Vic Mackey on The Shield while actually holding an iPhone in my hands. The reason I don’t want it is because it would have too many compromises.