Android World The company has been enjoying foldable smartphones for six years, but Apple fans might soon be able to join in. A foldable iPhone could arrive as soon as 2026, according to a report from The Information.
The project, codenamed “V68,” is in the early stages of development and there’s no guarantee it will come to fruition, but it’s reportedly past the concept stage and has suppliers involved. It would mark the first major design change to Apple’s flagship device since 2017’s iPhone X. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the foldable iPhone reports.
Apple’s move comes at a time when foldable smartphones are surging in popularity around the world. Analyst firm Counterpoint Research reports that the foldable phone market will grow 49% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024, the highest growth rate in the past six quarters. With iPhone shipments down 13% year-over-year in the first quarter, a foldable iPhone may be just what Apple needs to boost sales.
But foldables aren’t just popular, they’re also more mature. The latest models are much more refined and durable than earlier clunky attempts. Samsung has been publicly refining its foldable smartphones for the past six years. Each year, it made small changes to its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series to improve screen durability and hinge reliability. These were the biggest drawbacks of the early foldable form factor, but advances in glass technology and hinge engineering have brought 2024 foldable devices closer and closer to the quality level we expect from traditional smartphones. Samsung’s latest models have an IP48 water and dust resistance rating, which means they’re not as dust-proof as non-foldable models, but they’re one step closer.
Samsung may have had the longest track record, but competition is fierce, with Huawei and Motorola taking big chunks of Samsung’s market share and new devices from OnePlus and Google vying for consumer attention. That means that while the manufacturing capacity to make these foldable phones is growing, they’re still expensive: Motorola is offering a $700 foldable flip phone, while Samsung just raised the price of its phone.
These market dynamics make the timing perfect for Apple to enter the foldable smartphone race.
Apple has reportedly tested two sizes, but the approved project is for a foldable flip phone like the Motorola Razr or Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. With this kind of flip phone, you can enjoy a full-sized smartphone, then fold it in half and stuff it in your pocket or bag. It’s the same smartphone experience, but in a smaller package. There’s usually an external “cover screen,” and it’s not hard to imagine Apple creating a way for notifications, widgets, and even Siri (coming soon with an improved version that incorporates AI) to be accessed from there.
