Foldable iPhone Could Finally Launch Next Year
Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone could finally be released next year, according to multiple reports.
According to display analyst Ross Young, who often provides accurate insights into Apple's plans, Apple could introduce its foldable iPhone in 2023, but he cautioned that 2024 is a more likely timeframe for the launch of the new device.
Rumors about a foldable iPhone have died down in recent months, but there continues to be evidence that Apple is working on prototypes of foldable devices. In September 2020, it was suggested that Samsung had provided foldable display samples to Apple for testing purposes, and there have also been reports that Apple is working with LG Display. Apple patent filings show that the company is researching crack-resistant foldable displays, and there have been various rumors about internal durability tests related to the device.
In May 2021, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple was planning to launch a foldable iPhone with an 8-inch flexible OLED display in 2023, a prediction mostly mirrored by global technology research firm Omdia, but he suggested that a 2024 launch is more likely late last year. Bloomberg in January 2021 said that Apple had started "early work" on a foldable iPhone, but development at the time had not expanded beyond a display.
Going forward, Kuo believes that foldable smartphones are going to become a "must-have" for all major smartphone brands. Samsung leads the way so far with multiple iterations of foldable smartphones, such as the Galaxy Z Fold3. Early Galaxy Fold devices were riddled with issues, but Samsung has now had three years to iron out problems with little competition. In fact, Samsung's "obsession" with foldables is said to have eclipsed the company's work on augmented reality and virtual reality.
If Apple does opt to come out with a foldable smartphone in 2023 or 2024, it will need to compete with Samsung, a company that now has several years of expertise with foldable devices. Kuo previously said that Apple will need to solve "key technology and mass production issues" to launch a foldable iPhone by 2023, so it would be unsurprising if the technology is delayed until 2024. Even so, it remains a possibility that 2023 could be the year that the foldable iPhone finally takes off. For more information about Apple's foldable iPhone, see our detailed guide.
Popular Stories
Alleged photos and videos of an unannounced 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 chip continue to surface on social media, in what could be the worst product leak for Apple since an employee accidentally left an iPhone 4 prototype at a bar in California in 2010. The latest video of what could be a next-generation MacBook Pro was shared on YouTube Shorts today by Russian channel Romancev768, just...
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
Rumors strongly suggest Apple will release the seventh-generation iPad mini in November, nearly three years after the last refresh. Here's a roundup of what we're expecting from the next version of Apple's small form factor tablet, based on the latest rumors and reports. Design and Display The new iPad mini is likely to retain its compact 8.3-inch display and overall design introduced with...
iOS 18.1 will be released to the public in the coming weeks, and the software update introduces the first Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone. Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18.1 to be released. iOS 18.1: Apple Intelligence Features Here are some of the key Apple Intelligence features in the iOS 18.1 beta so far: A few Siri enhancements, including improved understanding...
The current Apple TV was released two years ago this month, so you may be wondering when the next model will be released. Below, we recap rumors about a next-generation Apple TV. In January 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV was planned for release in the first half of 2024:Beyond the future smart displays and new speaker, Apple is working on revamping its TV box....
We're nearing the end of the iOS 18.1 beta testing process, but Apple is continuing to make tweaks to refine built-in features ahead of when the software launches. With testing winding down, there are fewer new additions, but Apple has made changes worth noting. The new beta is available for both developers and public beta testers. Control Center In the Control Center, Apple has added new...
