Apple is reportedly working on the development of a new foldable device which is expected to be larger than a smartphone. The speculated foldable device from Apple is anticipated to take the form of either a notebook or a tablet, as per information from Taiwan-based supply chain sources reported by DigiTimes. Apple has reportedly been engaged in the development of a folding device for approximately five years, and the final design is expected to be determined prior to the commencement of manufacturing.
As outlined in the report, Apple is in the process of creating a "larger device," with the possibility of it being in the form of a notebook or tablet rather than a foldable iPhone. To accomplish this, engineers from the Vision Pro team have purportedly been assigned to develop components for the foldable device, including the hinge.
If Apple introduces a foldable device in the coming years — although a launch before 2025 is deemed unlikely according to the report — it is anticipated to enter the market and compete with existing offerings from companies such as Samsung, Oppo, Google, Huawei, and Xiaomi, which already provide foldable devices that are commercially available.
Foldable Device's Development Halted Earlier?
Earlier in the month, information from Chinese tipster 'Fixed Focus Digital' suggested that Apple had temporarily halted the development of a foldable screen device due to unsatisfactory results in a screen test. Additionally, it was mentioned that Apple had acquired several foldable smartphones from competitors for disassembly, aiming to expedite the research and development process.
Contrary to the claim, the report affirms that the progress on a foldable phone has not been halted. It suggests that Apple is actively involved in the development of multiple foldable devices, with distinct departments assigned to work on each product. As of now, Apple has not made any official announcements regarding the imminent launch of a foldable smartphone in the upcoming months or years.