Apple has suspended development of a foldable iPhone after display samples provided by key suppliers including Samsung failed the company’s rigorous internal testing, reports from China suggest. The unreliable foldable screens raised concerns over durability, leading Apple to discontinue its first foldable iPhone project for the foreseeable future.
While Samsung has supplied foldable display prototypes earlier, Apple’s latest quality standards testing found issues persisting. This is despite Apple working on two foldable iPhone models since 2016, as per The Information. The company reportedly does not see foldable iPhones debuting in either 2024 or even 2025 now.
Foldable iPad Timelines Remain Uncertain
However, Apple’s plans regarding a foldable iPad – rumored to be of greater interest to the company – remain ambiguous currently in light of the iPhone setback. Critics have also questioned the reliability of the Chinese blogs reporting the foldable iPhone discontinuation.
But if proven accurate, it demonstrates that making commercially viable foldable devices involves immense challenges even for Apple currently, despite rapid technological progress. Analysts feel Apple may focus innovation efforts on further improving durability and seamlessness before reattempting foldable iPhones to meet its usual premium standards.
Nonetheless, Apple examining foldable form factors highlights its interest in radical concepts that can augment iPad and iPhone experiences. Breakthroughs by Samsung and others may yet see Apple revive its foldables program to tap future demand.
