Several reports shocked the tech world on Tuesday as Apple is apparently working on its first foldable iPhone.
Apple started working on its first foldable iPhone, several tech outlets including The Information and Digitimes reported on Tuesday. Apple has not officially confirmed or denied these rumors yet.
According to the reports, the foldable iPhone will be available as soon as 2026, though it could also face delays as the development progresses. The 2026 estimate comes from Apple’s usual timeline for new products, whose launch normally comes two years after the start of research and development.
At the moment, the top-level foldable smartphones are manufactured by Samsung, the South Korea-based Apple rival. Samsung released two types of foldable smartphones: the Galaxy Fold, which opens horizontally, and the Galaxy Flip, which opens vertically.
Reports say the latter will be the base for the foldable iPhone. When opened, this iPhone will have a screen a similar size to a regular model. Galaxy Flips mount an additional screen on the exterior, showing notifications and other information when the phone is closed.
Apple registered several patents for the foldable technology in 2024 and may have already signed a panel supply contract with Samsung. The Cupertino company often acquires several critical components from Samsung, including the iPhone display.
“Rumors suggest that in 2024, Apple formally began R&D and signed a panel supply contract with Samsung Display (SDC),” Daniel Chiang and Jack Wu wrote for Digitimes.
The biggest technological challenge will be making the grease between the folds invisible, the reports say. Failing to do so could even force Apple to cancel the project completely as it wouldn’t satisfy the company’s elevated quality standards.
Eyeing the Chinese market
Initial rumors had Apple working on a Macbook with a foldable display or a foldable iPad. Such a move would mitigate risk and test the market for foldable Apple products.
Macbooks and iPads amount to 6.6% and 5.8% of Apple’s total sales respectively. By comparison, iPhones occupied 58% of Apple’s revenues in the first quarter of 2024.
Going directly for a foldable iPhone is therefore a huge risk for Apple, but could also provide the highest possible return.
iPhone sales in China, Apple’s second-biggest market, have declined in the first quarter amid a CCP crackdown on American products. A foldable iPhone could also be Apple’s bet to make its products appealing to Chinese consumers again.
Apple is the world’s biggest company by market capitalization, taking over Microsoft and Nvidia once again. Apple’s stock jumped 1.63% today after the reports.
