We have been thinking for a long time that Apple is investigating, through prototypes, the possibility of folding the iPhone. An interesting resource that other brands have already been testing with quite mixed results. A resource that we do not expect to see in the short term, but nevertheless.
The question of “what contributes” beyond whether we can achieve it
According to tweeted @dylandktA well-known leaker, Apple has been developing foldable phone prototypes for some time. Apparently the company “is definitely working and testing several prototypes that contain folding screens”, although for now it is still “there are too many compromises with screen technology”, so the launch of such an iPhone is rather distant.
According to Dylan “there are also concerns about whether folding smartphones will continue to have a place in the market or they will become obsolete. “In this sense, the leaker affirms that Apple” intends to carefully observe the market and improve the mistakes of its competitors. “A good strategy that we have already seen in the past with other products.
Going from an OLED screen to a plastic one is a big change in terms of quality and durability. One of the commitments Dylan refers to. One that would have a very negative impact on the experience of using the iPhone. In parallel, there is the issue of water resistance. A hinge mechanism is the opposite of tightness of which the iPhone boast so much and that allows us to even submerge them without risk to the phone.
A novelty, that of folding telephones, which can lose strength and interest over the months.
Looking at the market, and speaking specifically of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3, it is obvious that other manufacturers, although they have commercially launched some models, are still in a beta phase of development, something that Apple does not plan to do.
“While other manufacturers are iterating on products that are apparently in beta, Apple is interested in making sure the design is not a regression from the current iPhone form factor. They are interested in playing the long game to see how the game progresses. technology”.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple could introduce a foldable iPhone next year, 2023. The analyst was telling us about 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones by then. Some figures possible thanks to the fact that Samsung would be the only supplier of the panels. Seen what has been seen there are, however, several Conflicting rumors regarding foldable iPhones.
We don’t expect the iPhone 14 to offer any foldable variant. We expect changes in the design of the notch, to cite an example, but everything seems to indicate that the arrival of folding devices will not occur this next year. It is somewhat early to speak properly, but from experience I can say that, to prepare Apple such a radical change in the iPhone, we would have heard more rumors.
As we always remember we are talking, and even speculating, based on unconfirmed information. For now we will have to wait for the months to go by to be able to speak more properly than we think Apple’s plans may be. Plans that, undoubtedly, take into account folding devices, but that take their time to see well what is the strategy to follow, one that involves asking “what for” instead of “will we be capable?”.
Image | Mika Baumeister