Apple has been developing its first foldable device for at least five years. However, the device may turn out to be a “larger device” rather than an iPhone, instead, it may be more tablet or notebook-ish, according to a new DigiTimes report.
The DigiTimes report jibes with previous rumors we’ve seen. Design efforts on the device are now reportedly converging ahead of plans for mass production.
While hinge mechanisms used in foldable devices have advanced nicely over the last few years, Apple’s main problem with foldable is said to be in developing a display panel that meets its quality demands.
A recent post from Fixed Focus Digital claims that Samsung’s latest folding panels “broke down after a few days” under Apple’s rigorous internal testing, causing Apple to put the entire project on hold for the foreseeable future.
Earlier this month, a report from The Information said Apple is continuing to develop folding iPhone models, actively building prototypes of at least two foldable models, following more than five years of research and development.
The DigiTimes report also notes that Apple’s rumored suspension of Samsung foldable display panel development and internal reorganization to move Vision Pro engineers to the foldable project are not contradictory moves, since the company is overwhelmingly prioritizing quality.
The report says Apple has not suspended work on its foldable devices, and that it now has several departments responsible for different foldable product lines. Apple’s first foldable device will not launch until 2025 at the earliest.
