Apple is reportedly working on clamshell-style foldable iPhone

Even though Apple just dropped the Vision Pro, they’re not putting the brakes on the idea of foldable iPhones and iPads. According to a fresh report from The Information, Apple’s cooking up “at least two” iPhone prototypes that fold horizontally, taking a page from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip playbook.

Don’t hold your breath for a folding iPhone anytime soon, if ever. According to The Information, the device isn’t on Apple’s mass production roadmap for 2024 or 2025. Even though there’s talk of Apple wanting to whip up a foldable iPhone with displays on the outside, the report mentions that engineers have been having a tough time with the design, as it’s prone to breaking easily.

On top of that, engineers are apparently aiming to create a foldable device that’s “as thin as current iPhone models,” but they’re running into hurdles with battery sizes and display components. According to The Information, Apple has even been in talks with “at least one” manufacturer in Asia about sourcing parts for foldable iPhones in various sizes.

They’re also plugging away on Apple’s long-talked-about folding iPad. As per The Information, Apple’s toying with the idea of crafting a folding tablet that’s about the size of an iPad Mini, packing an eight-inch display.

Apple’s engineers are apparently on a mission to minimize that pesky crease smack dab in the middle of the display. They’re also gunning to whip up a hinge that lets the display lay completely flat when unfolded.

We still don’t have a solid timeline on when Apple might drop a folding iPad. However, a recent report from The Elec hints that Apple might be prepping a seven- or eight-inch device for a potential release in 2026 or 2027.

Apple is keeping mum on the nitty-gritty details of its late 7-inch to early 8-inch foldable gadget, but behind the scenes, Apple, Samsung Display, LG Display, and the gang are deep in discussions about the Ultrathin Glass (UTG), the cover window for the foldable panel, and the hinge concept – basically, the guts of the whole thing. Word on the street is that there’s a diversity of opinions, likely stemming from varying stances on how durable and reliable the end product should be.