Apple is still working on foldable iPhones and iPads

foldable iPhones: The Information reports Apple is working on two clamshell-style folding iPhone designs.

Apple may have just released the Vision Pro, but it hasn’t forgotten about making foldable iPhones and iPads. A new report from The Information reveals the company is developing “at least two” iPhone prototypes that fold horizontally, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip devices.

We are unlikely to see a folding iPhone anytime soon, if at all, as The Information reports the device isn’t in the company’s mass production plans for 2024 or 2025. Even though the company reportedly wants to create a foldable iPhone with displays on the outside of the device, The Information says engineers “struggled” with the design because it can break easily.

Apple’s vision for a folding iPhone may look similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

Additionally, engineers also reportedly want to develop a foldable that’s “as thin as current iPhone models,” but battery sizes and display components make this a challenge. So far, Apple has spoken with “at least one” manufacturer in Asia about procuring parts for foldable iPhones of different sizes, The Information reports.

Work is still underway on Apple’s long-rumored folding iPad, too. According to The Information, Apple is looking into developing a folding tablet that’s around the same size as an iPad Mini with an eight-inch display. Apple engineers working on the product are reportedly in the process of trying to reduce the crease that appears in the center of the display and also want to develop a hinge that allows the display to lie flat when unfolded.

It’s still not clear when Apple could release a folding iPad, either, but a recent report from The Elec suggests Apple is readying a seven- or eight-inch device for 2026 or 2027.

The report states that Tim Cook had approached Apple engineers about making a foldable device as early as 2018, two years before the launch of Galaxy Z Flip, but the work on a foldable iPhone was paused in 2020 only to be kickstarted again recently. Apple is reportedly trying to discover many compelling features for the new foldable devices. 

The report also cautions that a foldable iPhone isn’t going to be available soon given that the device isn’t in Apple’s mass production plans for 2024 or 2025. Meanwhile, Apple has approached at least one manufacturer in Asia about procuring components related to the two iPhones of different sizes.

Apple is also reportedly keen on building a foldable device that is as thin as the current iPhone models but battery size and display components make that a challenge. Moreover, the report states that Apple is keen on building a foldable phone with displays on the outside, its engineers are struggling with the design of the smartphone, given that it can break easily.

Thanks with Reference to: https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/7/24064617/apple-foldable-iphone-ipad-rumor-z-flip-5 and https://www.livemint.com/technology/gadgets/apple-reportedly-working-on-galaxy-z-flip-like-foldable-iphones-heres-what-we-know-so-far-11707358142651.html