Apple Allegedly Demands Foxconn to Produce Two Foldable Shell Prototypes for iPhone Pro
Apple seems to be making strides in the development of a foldable iPhone, as per recent rumors. According to reports from Tom's Guide and United Daily News, Apple has asked Foxconn to create two prototype foldable shells with displays. These prototypes represent different approaches to foldable phones, resembling either the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Microsoft's Surface Duo.
The exact purpose of these prototypes is unclear. Apple might be testing various ideas for its upcoming foldable iPhone or working on two separate devices. To add fuel to the fire, Apple also filed a patent application titled "Folding Electronic Devices With Geared Hinges" in April 2021. This patent describes a device that can be folded inwards and outwards, with a flexible display overlying the housing.
While patent filings and rumors suggest that a foldable iPhone is on the horizon, it's important to remember that not all designs and ideas will translate into final products. Apples's foldable iPhone could end up looking quite different from what we've speculated.
[Tom’s Guide]
Incorporated Insights:- Apple is expected to debut its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, likely alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.- Analyst Jeff Pu suggests that Apple could begin mass production on a foldable iPhone as soon as late 2026.- Apple is reportedly working on a clamshell foldable iPhone design, similar to the Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr, with a display size larger than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.- Another design approach involves a dual-screen model with two separate displays connected by a hinge, but its status remains unclear.- Apple has filed patents for a self-healing display and a device that allows two screens to work seamlessly as one when they're close to each other.- Apple is in talks with suppliers like LG and Samsung for the flexible displays needed for its foldable iPhone.- Production could commence in the latter part of 2025, with Ming-Chi Kuo forecasting this timeline.
[Enrichment Data Sources: 1. Tom's Guide, 2. Bloomberg, 3. AppleInsider, 4. Nikkei Asia, 5. MacRumors]
- With Samsung already leading the way in foldable technology with devices like the Galaxy Z Flip, it's probably safe to assume that Apple is closely studying their prototypes as well.
- The future of tech might include a foldable iPhone from Apple, as numerous sources, including Tom's Guide and United Daily News, have reported about Apple's prototypes.
- If the rumors and filings are to be believed, tech giants like Samsung might face tough competition in the foldable phone market with Apple potentially launching their own version in the coming years.
- The upcoming iPhone 18 lineup might include a foldable model, according to analyst Jeff Pu, as he speculates about Apple's plans to mass produce foldable prototypes as early as 2026.