According to a recent report published by The Information, the technology giant Apple is in an active stage of developing prototypes for the first foldable iPhone. The document indicates that Apple has been investigating the concept of foldable iPhones since 2018 and currently has at least two active prototypes modeled after the clamshell format.
A foldable iPhone model was expected as early as 2023, but apparently Apple it is still far from the moment when it will launch such a product on the market.
Related: Sketch with the first iPhone Fold on which Apple will launch it in 2023
The new foldable iPhone is still in the early stages of development, suggesting that its market launch is not imminent. In parallel with this project, Apple seems to also be exploring the possibility of developing a foldable, larger iPad in response to the first challengespinate within the foldable iPhone project.
According to the report, Apple has recently been in discussions with manufacturers in Asia to order the components needed to make a foldable iPhone in two distinct sizes. However, the report warns that the project could be abandoned if the final product fails to meet the rigorous design standards imposed by Apple.
The company's industrial design team wants to create a device that is significantly thinner than current iPhone models, even when folded. Possibilities such as the addition of outward-facing screens have also been considered to allow access to information even when the device is closed. However, practical issues with components such as batteries and screens have been obstacles to achieving these goals.
Before focusing on the foldable iPhone concept, Apple explored the option of a foldable, inward-folding iPad about the size of an iPad mini. This device would have a screen of about 8 inches, with less stringent durability requirements than those of a phone, and could be even thicker, since it does not have to be carried in pockets.
Despite the efforts made, Apple faces technical challenges such as reducing visible creases in the middle of the screen after repeated use. The company aims to create a device that offers a perfectly flat surface, allowing users to freely interact with the screen, including through the use of accessories such as Apple pencil.
However, it remains unclear whether Apple managed to solve these technical problems. The prospect of the release of a foldable iPhone in the next generations, such as the iPhone 17 or iPhone 18, seems uncertain, and it was previously estimated that the launch of such a product could take place around 2025, but this deadline seems to have been pushed back.
In conclusion, until we see the first foldable iPhone model on the market, it is very possible that Apple to launch a variant of foldable iPad tablets. An easier goal to achieve, by company standards.
