Apple Reportedly Working on Foldable iPhones

Apple is actively building prototypes of foldable iPhones, suggesting the Cupertino giant may be preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market, according to a new report.

The Information reports that Apple is developing prototypes for at least two flip-style iPhones with flexible displays that can fold in half like a clamshell. The devices resemble foldables from Samsung and Oppo that open up from a closed compact form to an expanded screen size.

However, the foldable iPhones are said to be in early development, and Apple has yet to make plans for mass production in 2024 or 2025, according to a source who has direct knowledge of the situation. The company is also said to have approached suppliers in Asia for components for two models of different sizes.

It suggests Apple is experimenting with foldable designs, but any final products remain at least a few years away if they make it to market. The report notes the projects could still be cancelled if Apple is unsatisfied with how the prototypes perform.

A foldable iPhone would mark a major shift in iPhone design, but the company faces significant technological challenges to create a foldable that meets its stringent quality and reliability standards.

The news confirms earlier rumours that Apple has mulled foldables since at least 2018 but struggled with durability and thinness criteria. Only time will tell if Apple's experiments with foldable screens will ultimately lead to a revolutionary foldable iPhone.