According to a recent report published by The Information, tech 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 it seems that Apple is still far from the moment when it will launch such a product on the market.
Related: Sketch with the first iPhone Fold that Apple will launch 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 also seems to be exploring the possibility of developing a foldable iPad with larger dimensions in response to the challenges encountered in the foldable iPhone project.
According to the report, Apple has been in recent 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 Apple's rigorous design standards.
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 around 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 their best efforts, 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 the Apple Pencil.
However, it remains unclear whether Apple has been able to resolve these technical issues. 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 will release a variant of foldable iPad tablets. An easier goal to achieve, by company standards.
