According to The Information, after more than five years of research and development, Apple is actively manufacturing at least two foldable iPhone prototypes. The two iPhone prototypes are reportedly foldable in width, like a clam shell. Both devices are still in the early stages of development and are not part of the company's 2024 or 2025 mass production plans, so 2026 is the earliest possible launch date.
However, the company has engaged with at least one Asian supplier to obtain parts related to two different sizes of foldable iPhones. The report also said that the foldable iPhone may still be canceled if it does not meet Apple's standards.
Apple's interest in launching a foldable iPhone is said to have wavered for years. Apple CEO Tim Cook apparently first asked designers and engineers about a foldable iPhone back in 2018. Later that year, he responded positively to a demo of a foldable iPhone with a 7-inch display. The company is reportedly focusing on technical challenges and delivering compelling enough features on the device to justify its high price point compared to non-foldable devices.
Apple's original vision for a foldable iPhone had the display on the outside of the phone when it was closed, but engineers struggled to address durability issues with the design. The industrial design team also wanted the device to be no thicker than current iPhone models when closed, but limitations in battery and display technology made that difficult to achieve.
The company paused work on foldable iPhones around 2020 and instead developed an inward-folding iPad about the same size as the iPad mini, with an 8-inch display. Apple allegedly concluded that the device could be thicker than a foldable iPhone because users wouldn't expect to carry it in their pockets and wouldn't need to pass the iPhone's high durability requirements. A foldable iPad would also allow Apple to publicly test the product category on a smaller scale.
Engineers are currently trying to eliminate the crease that forms in the middle of the display due to repeated folding and design a hinge that allows the display to lie completely flat, rather than having a small bump or dent in the middle that would get in the way of using the Apple Pencil. The company is reportedly working with LG and Samsung to develop displays for foldable iPads.