Apple, the Cupertino-based technology company, has been the subject of rumors about its possible foray into the foldable phone market by 2026.
The company plans to compete directly with major players such as Samsung with its Galaxy Z, Motorola with the Razr Plus, and Google with the Pixel Fold, through a device tentatively known as the iPhone Flip.
In the same way, there is speculation about the development of a foldable iPadwhich would mark a change of direction in Apple’s product line.
Sources close to the company have revealed that Apple has started talks with component manufacturers in Asia to acquire parts for two different sizes of the iPhone Flip.
Despite these preliminary moves, mass production of the device is not expected to begin before 2024 or 2025.
This action plan suggests an ambitious effort by Apple to enter the market niche of foldable mobile devices, with a focus on the characteristic design that aims to offer a high resolution and durable display.
Likewise, it is considered that a foldable iPad could represent a less complex engineering challenge and a lower risk for Apple as its first foray into this market segment.
This approach would allow the company gauge consumer interest in its innovative designs before facing competition in the foldable phone space.
This strategy demonstrates Apple’s prudence in ensuring complete confidence in the success of a product before its launch, maintaining its reputation for quality and avoiding any negative impact among its consumers.
Some doubts persist about the durability of folding screens. Green Tiger Mobility Executive Kaushik Bose has expressed concern about whether these devices will maintain their integrity beyond one or two years of continuous use, without showing obvious signs of wearsuch as visible creases on the first generation screens.
However, Apple appears to be getting ahead of these concerns, as evidenced by a new patent titled “Electronic Device with Display and Touch Sensor Structures.”
This patent suggests possible innovations in folding screen technology, including flexible and transparent components that could act as additional touch layers.
Additionally, reports indicate that Apple has been secretly collaborating with flat panel display manufacturers in South Korea, particularly LG and Samsung, to develop prototypes of its foldable iPad. One of the main goals is to achieve extremely thin thickness for the iPhone Flip.
This ambitious goal has presented significant challenges, such as the need to reduce the size of batteries and other essential internal components. Besides, Apple’s team of hardware engineers has faced problems designing a foldable device that integrates a rugged external display to withstand daily use.
What is known is that over more than a decade, Apple has dedicated efforts to the development of devices with flexible screens, obtaining various patents that explore multiple designs and functionalities.
These include devices that fold using hinges, offering a vision of how this technology could transform entertainment and gaming.
Although some analysts suggest that Apple does not face immediate commercial pressure to enter this market due to the success of the iPhone, the exploration of foldable technology indicates its interest in keeping up with the trend of technological innovation, paving the way for a new era. of mobile devices.
