Ironed out: Apple allegedly ready to launch iPhone Foldable
Apple is reportedly preparing the supply chain for a foldable iPhone. The display crease when folding is said to have been ironed out as a hurdle.
(Image: ra2 studio / Shutterstock.com)
Many people could not quite imagine a foldable iPhone with a clearly noticeable bump in the middle or a visible display crease –. Allegedly, Apple also took offense at this during development. However, the South Korean electronics news site ETNews reports that the hurdle has now been cleared, and the crease ironed out.
According to the report, Apple is currently planning the supply chain for a foldable iPhone and wants to have it ready by April. Mass production of components could then begin in the second half of 2025. The first iPhone Foldable would then be ready for sale in the second half of 2026, together with the iPhone 18 – if the anonymous information from South Korean industry circles is correct. However, other media had previously mentioned 2026 as a possible date.
Samsung to become sole supplier
South Korea will play a major role in this, as according to the report, Samsung's display division will be the sole OLED supplier. The company has managed to greatly improve the display fold and thus minimize it. Apple's foldable iPhone is said to be foldable inwards, making it similar to a book.
Further details in the report concern the cover glass and the hinges. Apple wants to use ultra-thin glass from Corning for the cover glass. The manufacturer has already maintained a close relationship with Apple in the past. Amphenol could become the main supplier for hinges. The company, which employs 73,000 people and was founded in 1993, specializes in a wide range of waterproof connectors, cable assemblies and connection systems for harsh and rugged environments. Apple and Amphenol already have a business relationship in the production of MacBooks, among other things.
Is Apple stimulating the market?
It is said that Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market would be anything but inconvenient for existing competitors. A foldable device from the iPhone manufacturer would focus the attention of many on the foldable market, which has still not been able to match the sales figures of classic smartphones despite all the technical advances. A foldable is considered Apple's attempt to breathe new life into the otherwise saturated smartphone market.
In order for Apple to retain its unique selling point of offering a foldable without a visible crease, at least for a while, the US company will have to hurry: Chinese providers are also working on the topic. The Oppo Find N5 is a prime example of how the wrinkle problem can soon be overcome.
(mki)