Apple is also rumored to be developing foldable iPhone models in the clamshell design.

Introduction

It has been reported that Apple is developing foldable tablets and/or smartphones, a new product category. This implies that the tech giant with headquarters in Cupertino, California, is getting ready to take on its Android rivals in the market, which has recently seen a rise in competition due to the entry of new brands. Although Apple has not yet made an official announcement about its entry into the market, earlier reports on the subject have suggested that the company is still in the research and development stage and is not ready to make a quick launch. But the company now claims to have encountered a roadblock.

Apple’s research on Foldable phones

Weibo user Fixed Digital Focus (translated from Chinese) claims in a post that Apple purchased several foldable smartphones from competing brands for dismantling and is "speeding up the research and development" process. The tipster added that the project has now stalled owing to a screen test not offering satisfactory results. 

This is probably going to delay the release date of foldable products because one of the main components of a foldable device is its display. According to earlier leaks, Apple may release its first foldable device by 2026 or 2027 rather than waiting until 2024 or 2025 to put it into mass production.

Foldable Phone’s Design

According to the earlier leak, Apple is reportedly developing prototypes for at least two foldable iPhone models in the clamshell design, which could rival Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip smartphones. Models with foldable shells have horizontally folding internal displays.

Apple is also said to be developing a foldable smartphone with a screen that measures between 7.6 and 8.4 inches, which is larger than the display of any foldable smartphone currently available in the market. The report noted that it could either be a foldable smartphone or a tablet. This rumored model had also been tipped to replace the iPad Mini, which was refreshed in 2021 and carries an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD panel.

Conclusion

It is interesting to see Apple's foray into the foldable tablet and smartphone market. It seems like Apple is preparing to compete with its Android counterparts by exploring new product categories. Although the company has faced some challenges during the research and development phase, such as the screen test not providing satisfactory results, Apple's dedication to innovative design concepts like clamshell models and larger foldable displays is admirable. The exact release date remains unknown, but Apple's entry into this market segment will bring groundbreaking products in the future.