APPLE is rumoured to be working on a foldable iPhone, which would allow the Silicon Valley giant to finally square up to Samsung.
Samsung swiped Apple’s crown as the world’s best-selling phone maker earlier this year – which has fanned the flames of their ongoing rivalry.
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Apple has not actually confirmed it is working on its own foldable device, after Samsung popularised the concept.
But here are all the rumours about the company’s first foldable iPhone, so far.
Size
The device’s display is expected to be between 6.7inch – in proportion with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 – 8inches, according to various reports.
An 8inch display would put the full-span of the screen close to the iPad mini’s 8.3inch display.
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also says Apple is testing a 9inch display for a foldable – which would dwarf any foldable phone on the market.
Instead of mirroring Samsung’s Fold devices, Apple will reportedly echo the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with a palm-sized, clamshell shape, that makes it pocketable when folded.
New features
Apple is trying to overcome the easily breakable design with a “self-healing material”, according to new patents spotting by The Independent.
The material is a polymer coating that “may fill the dent even without external intervention”, and instead using internal heat, light or electrical current.
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Price
Apple’s products are typically pretty lofty.
But to navigate an easily breakable design, while keeping true to its durability smartphone promises, Apple will need to use high-end, durable parts.
Of course, this means the product will be very pricey – and likely more expensive than its previous iPhones.
Apple’s newest and most expensive handset, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, starts at $1,199 / £1,199.
Samsung’s popular Galaxy Z Fold 5 start at an even higher price.
Although, as Tech Radar points out, if Apple decides to sell its iPhone at a 50 per cent premium over the current iPhone 15 Pro, it would still be cheaper than Samsung’s most expensive foldable phone.
The bottom line is: foldable phones are costly.
Release Date
Initial reports slated Apple to unveil a foldable iPhone as soon as 2026.
However, fresh analysis from Taiwanese research firm TrendForce says a release date is unlikely to be before 2027.
Apple is thought to be closer to launching a foldable iPad mini – which could test the waters for its foldable iPhone lineup.
The company typically holds three or four events to unveil new products each year.
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There’s generally a spring event around March or April, the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, a September event focused on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and sometimes, an October event that usually includes Macs and iPads.
Typically, Apple leans towards the second Tuesday in September for its annual iPhone release dates – which may be accompanied by a foldable number in a couple years.
Is Apple folding to pressure?
Analysis by Millie Turner, Technology & Science Reporter at The Sun.
Even for die-hard iPhone fans, recent iterations of the Samsung Flip and Fold smartphones had heads turning.
It was the first Android-based device that looked like it had the potential to bring iOS lovers to the ‘dark side’ – according to iPhone owners themselves.
The nostalgic, pocketable, Samsung Galaxy Flip spoke to iPhone users in a way Android devices simply hadn’t before.
Not to mention Samsung’s stylish, star-studded marketing campaign.
Social media was flooded with iOS users hailing the chic 90s vibe the Flip was giving off – and the notebook element boasted by the Fold.
If the rumours are true, and Apple really is investing in getting its own foldable to the market, then it’s clear the company has folded to pressure and is trying to fend off the lure off its Korean rival.