The increasing demand for foldable smartphones is being driven by consumers demand for larger screens coupled with the ability of a transformable pocket size device. Increased multi-media functions overcome the physical restrictions of non-foldable phones and 5 G roll out, too is playing a part in the desire for that very function; in turn foldable smartphones are providing stimulus to the smart phone market. Don’t expect Apple to lay dormant in the market for long. Let’s digest clues of Apple foldable smartphone developments. Read until the end to get to the core of the speculation.
Evidence of Apple Foldable Smartphone Development: Patents Lodged
What ever the tipsters speculate and some of it should be reliable if you follow suggestions made from the likes of Analyst Min-Chi Kuo, real empirical clues and intentions of future models can be guaged by patents lodged and Apple has been busy in lodging foldable phone patents. According to J.P.Morgan Apple, ‘does not introduce test models’ so they may wait for ‘out-fold’ or ‘S-fold’ technology to become ready.
While the above simple sketch is not a patent of Apple a 2018 patent shows a scaled down version with a notification bar not dis-similiar to Samsung’s Fold range. The below patent adds clues to the very fact that Apple has been preparing to launch a foldable smartphone since at least 2018 but in typical Apple style its unlikely they’ll launch until they can be sure they’ve produced a better product than anything currently on the market like when they launched the original iPhone.
What Screen Will Apple’s Foldable Smartphone Have?
Highly accurate Apple tipster Ming Chi Kuo claims Apple is testing E Ink’s Electronic Paper Display (EPD)
for future foldable device’s cover screen & tablet-like applications. The color EPD has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices’ must-have cover/second screen thanks to its excellent power-saving.
The highly sustainable e-paper offers an attractive improvement for enhanced color, reading and shopping experience for eBooks. However, critics say a night light issue needs to be solved.
J.P. Morgan has stated since 2018 that Apple is moving towards OLED screens Rumours which cannot be wholly trusted is that Aple may even partner with Samsung or LG (LG being more plausible), the latter being experts in folding OLEd screens.
Will Apple’s Foldable Smartphone Have Ports?
Portless foldable smartphones may cause more problems due to the lack of technological advancements of wireless technologies & the immature MagSafe market. however, if tipsters are right and Apple has no intention of launching the new foldable flagship until 2025 a lot can happen in that respect up until that juncture.
How Much Will A Foldable Apple Smartphone Cost?
Assuming with some confidence according to past launches Apple’s new foldable smartphone will be the smartest, most innovative foldable smartphone on the market and will come with a price to match. As the production of the foldable style increases, a common sense notion can conclude the price will come down. J.P.Morgan claims that the, ‘flagship foldable phones from Apple will be at a 10% price premium to Samsung’s foldable smartphones.’ Expect a flagship foldable phone to be in the region of $2000, at current inflation rates.
Further Evidence Apple Wants to Change The Foldable Market
According to DSCC analyst Ross Young, suuply chains have been in communication with Apple about a pathway to not only a foldable smartphone but also a foldable large tablet. Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) says that Apple are investigation a 20 inch plus foldable tablet which would create a new category for Apple, something we know Apple likes to do. In affect the new device would be a a notebook with a full-size keyboard when folded and for use as a monitor cum tablet when not folded and used with an external keyboard. Such a device would not be launched until 2026-27.
When Will Apple’s Foldable Smartphone Be Launched?
With many facets of the new foldable smartphone offering by Apple still to pass testing many tipsters don’t see a launch date until atleast 2025. One such area that Apple continues to look for are improvements in chips for users which includes its complete transition to custom chips. The company could potentially adopt 2nm process chips for a foldable smartphone and then a foldable tablet from 2025 onwards.
Final Thoughts
As J.PMorgan stated back in 2018 one thing is clear is that Apple won’t release a new foldable device until they can beat the rest on the market and become the best. Past patents prove they’re taking the task seriously with their ‘S’ shaped patent and many more patents not mentioned on this page. If you marry those factors with the best folding screens which are currently produced by panel leaders LG you can glean clues of the look of the new device. I doubt that any common graphics currently circulating on Youtube and Twitter come close.
If we go back to the summary of what consumers want: ‘Consumers demand for larger screens coupled with the ability of a transformable pocket size device with improved multi media features,’ I would expect Apple to double down on that axiom. Couple that with the best technology and I believe we shouldn’t look too far away from LG’s incredible work in the OLED foldable and bendable screen field. Imagine an Apple device with an unbreakable bending 8 inch screen, which is almost as thin as paper and folds into a diminutive pocket size sandwich. Fiction may not be too far from the truth.
See Apple Smartphone on Amazon.
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