Magnification move? People familiar with the matter revealed that Apple is developing at least two horizontal clamshell foldable iPhones

Zhitong Finance APP learned that a person familiar with internal information of Apple (AAPL.US) revealed that Apple is currently developing at least two horizontal clamshell foldable iPhone prototypes. If this innovative design is finally introduced to the market, it will become one of the most disruptive hardware changes in the history of iPhone development.

Foldable phones are smaller and more portable than ordinary smartphones. When they are unfolded at a 90-degree angle, they can take pictures without a stand. Since Samsung Electronics launched the Galaxy Fold in 2019, it has gradually emerged in the market.

Motorola, Google (GOOG.US, GOOGL.US) and many other brands have followed suit and launched their own foldable mobile phone products. However, due to high manufacturing costs and vulnerability to damage, the popularity of such mobile phones in the market is still limited.

According to people familiar with the matter, the foldable iPhone is still in the early stages of research and development and has not been included in Apple’s mass production plans in the next two to three years. They further revealed that Apple has recently started negotiations with at least one Asian supplier with the intention of purchasing two different sizes of foldable iPhone-related components. However, whether these products can be successfully launched still depends on Apple's strict control of their performance and quality. If they fail to meet Apple's high standards, these products may face cancellation.

An Apple spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

For more than a decade, Apple has been exploring the possibility of foldable products. But Apple leadership has also been hesitant about foldable products, according to interviews with multiple former Apple employees and a review of its patent applications. Apple CEO Tim Cook began delving into the possibility of a foldable iPhone as early as 2018, soliciting input from designers and engineers. At that time, he showed strong interest in a 7-inch foldable display prototype.

However, the road to research and development of foldable iPhone is not smooth. Apple engineers have struggled for years to overcome the technical challenges of building such a device, while designers have struggled to find unique features that would appeal to consumers, according to three people familiar with the matter. At the same time, the high cost of the foldable iPhone is also an issue that cannot be ignored, especially when compared with traditional phones.

There is news that Apple’s first foldable product may be an iPad, not an iPhone. The low-profile device will serve as a litmus test for consumer acceptance of a foldable iPhone. Apple has been working closely with South Korea's LG and Samsung, which also provide key foldable displays for foldable iPad prototypes, people familiar with the matter said.

Engineers are working hard to eliminate the middle crease that forms on the foldable iPad display after repeated folding, hoping to design an innovative "hinge" that allows the screen to be completely flat when unfolded, avoiding bulges or bulges. dented. These issues are particularly critical for Apple Pencil users who rely on precise touch.

Although foldable phones already exist on the market, their sales have been slow, in part due to their high price compared to traditional phones. Users of foldable mobile phones from Samsung, Motorola, Google and other companies have also reported that the screens and hinges of some products have broken or deformed over time.

However, according to display analysts, Samsung has made significant progress in improving the quality of its foldable devices. The Pixel Fold, Google's first foldable phone launched last year, also faced complaints about its cracked screen. In response to market pressure, Google cut the price of the Pixel Fold by more than 20% in just six months, to $1,400.

Apple has always been good at catching up where others have failed. Last week, the company launched its first mixed reality headset, Vision Pro. Previously, the company spent nearly a decade trying to solve the problem of user control actions and screen display lag.

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