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Journalism of Courage
With iPhone sales plateauing and showing no signs of growth, Apple may be considering foldable phones as an alternative to revive interest in their mobile devices. In fact, Apple is already working on two foldable iPhones as well as a folding iPad. However, we may not see these devices in retail stores anytime soon.
Although we don’t have exact details on how the foldable iPhone fits into Apple’s iPhone lineup, Cupertino has two flip-style foldable iPhones currently in the works. According to The Information, Apple wants to create a foldable iPhone with an external screen, but engineers working on the project are struggling to do so because it can break easily. It suggests that the company aims to make a foldable phone that is “as thin as current iPhone models,” but is reportedly facing challenges as components like the battery and display add to the thickness of the device.
Apple also seems to have talked to “at least one” part maker in Asia to procure components for foldable iPhones of different sizes, hinting that the tech giant is experimenting with more than one foldable device.
A foldable iPhone is not the only device currently under development. The tech giant might also be working on a folding iPad, which may have the same size as the iPad mini with an 8-inch display. It appears that Apple engineers are trying to reduce the crease that appears at the center of every foldable phone and are working on a hinge that allows the device to lie flat when unfolded. This doesn’t indicate if Apple will discontinue the iPad mini in favor of a folding iPad, but it could be a possibility, given the iPad mini isn’t a big revenue puller.
Apple is yet to introduce a foldable iPhone, even though its competitors such as Samsung are already offering foldable smartphones on the market. Foldable smartphones allow users to bend the phone to close it and then open it up to reveal a larger screen, something that’s not possible with the existing phone form factor. That being said, foldable phones are still a niche product category. Analysts have predicted that Apple will offer a foldable device; however, it likely won’t be an iPhone. Two years ago, CCS Insight predicted that Apple would launch an iPad with a folding screen in 2024.
Last year, Apple was awarded a patent that describes technology that would allow users to touch multiple parts of a device, not just the screen, to carry out functions. It’s being said that Apple was actively working on a foldable iPhone, but the company paused work on the device in 2020. However, it has once again resumed work on foldable devices. There’s always the chance Apple may not launch a foldable iPhone unless it’s sure the device adds something new to the market that can’t be achieved with the current iPhone form factor.
