Apple is working on a foldable iPhone, and it seems to be an open secret。

Foldable iPhone or Foldable iPad？

Recently, it has been reported that since 2018, Apple has at least two horizontal folding iPhone prototypes like a flip.。

So far, Apple has approached at least one Asian manufacturer to buy parts related to two foldable iPhones of different sizes, according to people familiar with the matter.。

According to the report, Apple engineers hope to develop a foldable product that is similar in thickness to current iPhone models and may have an external screen。However, these ideas are still difficult to achieve due to obstacles in battery size and display components。Apple engineers also hope to develop a hinge that allows the display to lie flat when unfolded。

In addition, people familiar with the matter said that Apple had shelved the foldable iPhone project around 2020 and focused on the foldable iPad instead.。Compared with mobile phones, the durability requirements of foldable iPads are less stringent。The thickness of the iPad can also be greater because users will not carry it in their pockets。The design size may be comparable to the iPad mini, at around eight inches。

Apple is said to be working on ways to reduce the creases that appear in the middle of the display after multiple folds。Engineers also hope to develop a hinge that allows the display to lie flat when unfolded, allowing accessories such as Apple Pencil to be used freely on the screen。

It is not clear whether Apple has successfully solved these problems, at least for now, the iPhone 16 / 17 will probably not be a foldable phone.。The report also mentions。If the final product does not meet Apple's design standards, the project may be cancelled。

Apple analyst Ming Kuo previously predicted that "Apple could launch its first foldable product as early as 2025, either a foldable iPad or a hybrid of iPad and iPhone."。"

Consumer interest in foldable phones is increasing

As the technology matures, consumer interest in foldable phones is rising。

According to research firm IDC, the global market for foldable phones will reach 20.4 million units by 2023, up 43 percent from 14.2 million units shipped in 2022..9%。IDC predicts that total global shipments of foldable phones will reach 54.3 million units by 2027, with a CAGR of 30% from 2022 to 2027..8%。

In addition, according to a recent consumer survey released by Counterpoint Research, Chinese consumers are showing strong interest in foldable smartphones.。In China, 64% of smartphone owners with a price of $400 and above said they are considering buying a foldable phone for their next phone。Of these, 20% have basically decided, while another 44% said they would use foldable phones as an option.。Among them, Android users are more interested in foldable smartphones, reaching 71%, while iOS users are 58%。

In the global market, China is a major consumer market for foldable mobile phones, so there is a certain reference for Chinese consumers' attitudes.。

IDC expects China's foldable phone market to ship close to 10 million units in 2024, up 53.2%, with a compound growth rate of 37% by 2027..5%, higher than the global average。

Although the overall market, consumer interest in foldable phones is increasing, but for many people, really want to buy a foldable phone, there are still some issues to consider, including durability, crease protrusion and screen folding When the device is large and so on。

There have been many reports of exposure that some Samsung, Google and other companies' foldable mobile phone users have reported that over time, the screens and hinges of the phones they buy have broken or deformed.。

In addition, the high price is also a major obstacle for foldable phones to become mainstream models.。Due to the high cost, the current price of foldable phones is generally high。Take Samsung, for example. Samsung's foldable phones (such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5) are basically twice as expensive as their regular flagship phones。