Apple's Delayed Effort: When Will the Folding iPhone Arrive?

Apple's Delayed Effort: When Will the Folding iPhone Arrive?Blogger @DingjiaoShuma revealed, "Apple's production line already has foldable components. If things go smoothly, we can expect it next year; otherwise, it's another postponement

Apple's Delayed Effort: When Will the Folding iPhone Arrive?

The current smartphone market has witnessed numerous manufacturers launching foldable devices, encompassing various forms like horizontal folding, vertical folding, and even tri-folding. Amid this trend, Apple, which has been slow to jump in, seems to be getting impatient. Recent reports suggest that Apple is actively preparing for its own foldable product. The latest news indicates that the design of Apple's foldable iPhone prototype might resemble Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series.

Blogger @DingjiaoShuma revealed, "Apple's production line already has foldable components. If things go smoothly, we can expect it next year; otherwise, it's another postponement." According to this blogger, the iPhone's foldable phone chassis, screen, and back cover are all undergoing verification. Blogger @PhoneChipMaster recently posted that Apple has decided to accelerate the development of the foldable iPhone, and the engineering model currently faces a critical hinge issue requiring significant production capacity.

While the blogger didn't specify a release date for the foldable iPhone, speculation suggests that Apple might unveil it as early as next year. If the launch is significantly delayed, Apple might risk losing a substantial segment of target users, undermining its competitiveness in the foldable phone market.

In fact, Apple has been investing in related technologies for a foldable iPhone. Multiple patents related to foldables have been exposed. One patent titled "Electronic Device with Durable Folding Display" reveals that Apple plans to create a flexible, locally thinned portion in the glass layer at the bend axis by forming grooves in the glass layer. This aims to maintain a smooth screen surface, eliminate the common "folding crease" in foldable devices, and enhance durability. According to Apple, this design not only ensures smoother folding but also increases thickness in certain areas of the screen to enhance impact resistance.

Another patent reveals that Apple has developed a new self-healing technology for foldable screens. By applying a self-healing material to the screen, minor damages can be restored, extending the foldable screen's lifespan to a certain extent.

Furthermore, Apple boasts a complete ecosystem encompassing iOS, AppStore, iCloud, Apple Music, and more, offering a seamless interconnected user experience. The introduction of a foldable iPhone is expected to further enrich Apple's ecosystem and meet user demands for a larger screen experience.

However, although related patents have emerged, they don't necessarily mean a foldable iPhone will be available soon. Industry insiders reveal that Apple has tested multiple iPhone folding prototypes and discovered that the biggest challenge remains the significant crease on the screen. Therefore, Apple might first launch a foldable MacBook, projected to feature an 18.8-inch foldable display. However, mass production of this device isn't expected before late 2027 or 2028.

Based on this, the release of Apple's foldable iPhone is still quite far off, and its eventual arrival remains uncertain. After all, Apple's car project, which was hyped for a long time, was ultimately scrapped...