Edward Collins 
Feb 16, 2024
Apple is rumoured to be delving into a new realm of technology: foldable smartphones and/or tablets. This move suggests that the Cupertino-based tech giant is gearing up to take on its Android rivals in a segment that has seen a surge in competition with the emergence of newer brands.
While Apple has not made any official announcements regarding its foray into this sector, previous reports have hinted that the company is still in the research and development phase and not yet ready to launch anything. However, it seems that the company has encountered a setback in the process.
According to a post by Weibo user Fixed Digital Focus (translated from Chinese), Apple has acquired several foldable smartphones from competing brands for dismantling and is now "accelerating the research and development" process. The tipster added that the project has hit a roadblock due to unsatisfactory results from a screen test.
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Given that the display is a crucial aspect of foldable devices, this setback is likely to delay the timeline for the launch of Apple's foldable product.
Previous leaks suggested that Apple does not have its first foldable device slated for mass production in 2024 or 2025 and may aim for a launch by 2026 or 2027.
Additionally, earlier leaks hinted that Apple is working on prototypes of at least two clamshell-style foldable iPhone models, which could rival Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip handsets. Clamshell foldable models typically feature inner displays that fold horizontally.
Furthermore, Apple is reportedly developing a foldable smartphone with a screen size ranging between 7.6 and 8.4 inches, surpassing the display size of any existing foldable smartphone in the market.
This rumoured model could potentially serve as either a foldable smartphone or a tablet. It has also been speculated that this model might replace the iPad Mini, which received an update in 2021 and boasts an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD panel.
