There have been rumors about a foldable Apple iPhone since at least 2023, with many reports claiming it would be arriving in 2026. However, a new rumor has spread that could put an end to a foldable phone.
A Taiwanese supply chain source (reported by MacRumors) claimed that Apple has been working on this foldable device for five years and that it is actually a “larger device” like a tablet or laptop, rather than the iPhone that has been rumored for quite some time.
The report also clarifies some previous rumors regarding the pause in production of the foldable device. Apparently, Apple has been having trouble developing a foldable display panel from Samsung that meets its quality standards. But this new report says that this pause and the decision to move vision pro engineers to the folding project are both true.
Finally, the report claims that Apple has not completely suspended foldable work, as the tech giant apparently has several departments handling separate foldable product lines. It also gives us a possible 2025 release date, which is a departure from the 2026 release window we got in previous rumor reports.
So where are our foldable Apple devices?
The question that remains on the minds of many buyers is Why has it taken so long? that Apple developed such a foldable device in the first place. Other manufacturers such as Samsung, OnePlus and Google have already launched flexible phones on the market. And in terms of foldable tablets, Lenovo has been at the forefront for years.
We have a possible reason, which is the quality problem mentioned above with the display panel. While valid, it does not explain why this delay would amount to several years.
However, the new report gives me hope that Apple will skip the iPhone and instead make a flexible laptop or tablet, which is much more viable and useful. While other phone makers have released interesting bendable phones, their overall quality has only just begun to catch up to their non-flexible counterparts, while the practical question of why they need to exist remains.
However, a foldable tablet or laptop means that a much larger screen size can fit into a much smaller space. And considering how valuable bag space is when carrying such devices, along with the ability to have screens large enough for multitasking, such a device would be incredible.
This adds to the consistent quality of Apple products, which would ensure that both its display and hinge technology last for years. If only Apple would throw us a bone.
