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Apple is experimenting with multiple foldable iPhone prototypes, according to leaker Dylandkt, but a foldable iPhone may not be coming in the near future because Apple still has concerns over foldable display technology and the market for foldable smartphones.

Foldable-iPhone-2023-Feature-Blue.jpg

In a tweet thread, Dylandkt said that Apple is working on a possible future device, but that foldable display technology is not advanced enough and there are still too many "compromises" to deal with.


Apple is also reportedly concerned about whether foldable smartphones will continue to be popular with consumers or will become obsolete in the coming years.

Before releasing a foldable iPhone, Apple wants to be sure that a foldable design isn't a "regression from the current form factor of the iPhone," which could indeed happen if there are issues with display longevity and quality because of the folding functionality. Dylandkt's comments suggest that Apple is continuing to take a wait and see approach to foldable smartphone technology, but some other rumors have indicated that Apple could release a foldable iPhone as soon as 2023.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in May 2021 that Apple is developing a foldable iPhone with an 8-inch flexible OLED QHD+ display that's set to be released in 2023. Display analyst Ross Young in December said that Apple would not release a foldable iPhone until 2023 "at the earliest," with 2024 being a more likely target date. Bloomberg in early 2021 said that Apple had started "early work" on an iPhone with a foldable display, indicating that there are a few years of development left.

Foldable iPhone rumors have been circulating since 2016, and we've previously heard reports about various prototypes that Apple is testing. Samsung has allegedly provided foldable display samples to Apple for testing purposes, but development has not yet expanded beyond a display.

At least one of Apple's foldable iPhone prototypes is said to feature two separate display panels connected with a hinge, a departure from single-display designs that Samsung has introduced. Another has been described as a foldable iPhone with a clamshell design similar to the Galaxy Z Flip.

Samsung has been releasing foldable smartphones for years now, and other Android manufacturers have also embraced foldable technology. Smartphones with foldable displays continuing to face issues with durability and build quality, and they also have high price tags that far exceed the cost of standard smartphones.

Article Link: Apple Testing Multiple Foldable iPhone Prototypes, But Has Concerns Over Display Technology and Market
 
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Apple always plays the long game. I'm not surprised they're taking their time. The foldables I've seen so far just don't add anything compelling. They're usually a lot thicker that a standard smartphone and have a shorter life span. I don't see that trade-off as worth it for a slightly larger screen (which in many cases isn't even properly optimized).
 
A foldable iPhone will be great, much more screen real estate

Samsung already makes foldable phones so It may only be a few years before Apple releases this
If foldable displays are eventually released by Apple, it still shows they’re innovating and creating diversity in the smart phone sector, even if it’s a smaller target demographic, there are users who want a foldable device. And who knows, maybe they’ll do something different that would really appeal to their fan base where it’s more desirable, but likely at a higher price point.

I just refuse to leave the Apple ecosystem just because Samsung offers a foldable device. Apple typically creates a user experience that is more refined over the competition. So if that means I have to wait longer, I’m totally fine with that.
 
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Is there really a point in doing this at all? We already had folding phones before, there doesn’t seem to be a legitimately good reason to go back to them. Phone screens are big enough as they are, it doesn’t seem necessary to have a brick in my pocket that turns into a tablet.
 
Makes since, if foldable end up being just a fad (probably will be, but can't be certain). Then all the people with foldable iPhones would lose confidence in Apple.
 
I want it to be like a regular iPhone when folded, and as big as an iPad mini when unfolded. Otherwise, not worth the trouble.
Good point. I also think that folded it would be thick enough to thwart on-handed texting. This will irritate many people. Foldable iPads make much more sense.
 
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Just my opinion, but this seems to not be worth the engineering cost for what is returned. I would seriously question the durability of a phone like this. Dropping the phone, lacking any case that can protect, and damage to the crease would make this a potential support nightmare. Personally I don't see why this is anything but a gimmick.

Again, just my humble opinion.
 
A foldable iPhone will eat into the iPad market, will Apple allow that?
Foldables have a weird formfactor once unfolded, square. Not a good screen size.

I could see a trifold work, maybe…
 
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