According to a few recent reports, Apple is currently testing foldable screens for a possible foldable iPhone. The scope of the work is apparently only the development of a foldable display at the moment and the company has not locked down its intention to launch an actual device. Still, a foldable iPhone seems very likely, given that foldable smartphones are expected to be the fastest growing flagship category of phones in the coming years, and every major manufacturer is expected to have a foldable wallet by 2025.
Apple apparently developed both clamshell and book-shaped prototypes and it would have been leaned towards the former, indicating that the device would be more of a competitor to the Galaxy Z Flip. This bodes well with a recent leak which also indicates that the foldable iPhone will be intended for young users. The Cupertino giant has reportedly discussed many sizes, including one almost identical to the iPhone 12 Pro Max when unfolded.
A new report from the research firm EqualOcean painted a different picture.
Looks like the foldable iPhone will be a phone-tablet hybrid
Citing analytics company Omdia, reports say the foldable iPhone will sport an OLED display that will measure between 7.3 and 7.6 inches. More interestingly, the report also claims that the phone will support a stylus. It’s best to take this piece with a pinch of salt because Apple Pencil isn’t currently compatible with any iPhone. That said, a 2019 prediction of UBS investment bank, and a scoop of a Twitter leaker suggests that Apple’s first foldable device will actually be a foldable iPad.
At the end of the day, it’s too early to say anything, given that most rumors claim that a foldable iPhone is far from available, including today’s report which fixes the launch schedule for 2023.
