ALBAWABA – Apple has just celebrated the release of their highly anticipated Vision Pro headset, with remarks on Apple’s risky step to enter a new market, but a report from The Information claims that Apple is far from done trying new risky product categories, saying that the tech giant is currently working on two foldable iPhone models as well as a foldable iPad.
The report indicates that Apple is currently developing at least two foldable iPhone models, that flip horizontally with the screen inside, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, adding that the Californian company is trying to build prototypes with screens outside but facing engineering difficulties due to devices breaking easily.
Apple’s engineers are also planning for the foldable iPhones to be of the same thinness as the current models, The Information adds, however, display components and battery size are not making this an easy device to design, mentioning that so far, Apple has spoken to at least one manufacturer in Asia regarding obtaining foldable phone parts for multiple sized foldable iPhones.
Apple is reportedly working on foldable iPhones with a clamshell design 😳
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) February 7, 2024
The devices are in early development and would not launch until 2026 at the earliest. Would you buy a foldable iPhone?
Source: @theinformation pic.twitter.com/0TcPTEDQRD
Regarding the foldable iPad, while the infamous Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has spoken on X (previously Twitter) that he is “positive” a folding iPad is coming later in 2024, a recent report from The Elec points out that it may take far until 2026 or 2027 for Apple to release it, with seven or eight-inch display, which the latest report from The Information incorporating these details by mentioning an iPad-Mini-like display, adding that Apple is trying to minimize the crease on the folding area, hoping to make a hinge that folds the device completely flat when unfolded.
For the folding iPhone release date, The Information indicates that Apple is far from mass production, with no plans in sight for either 2024 or 2025, citing engineering difficulties holding Apple from the folding devices competition so far, adding that both foldable iPhone models are dubbed in “early development” or “could be cancelled” territory.
