Apple’s Folding iPhone Just Hit a Major Roadblock, but It Will Offer a Favorite Feature From iPads |
Apple’s Folding iPhone Just Hit a Major Roadblock, but It Will Offer a Favorite Feature From iPads
The rumored folding iPhone could have a killer feature—if Apple can solve these engineering problems first.
BY CHLOE AIELLO, REPORTER @CHLOBO_ILO
Apple store in New York City. Photo: Getty Images
Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone may be delayed by months.The tech giant has reportedly experienced significant snags in engineering tests of the rumored smartphone, which is expected to feature a screen about the size of an iPad mini when fully unfolded, as well as an external screen roughly the size of a small iPhone when closed, according to previous reporting from Bloomberg.
According to Nikkei Asia, development engineering tests are taking longer than expected. Select suppliers told Nikkei they’d been informed of a possible delay in component production for the device, related to the difficulties with engineering. A shipping delay would interfere with Apple’s marketing plan for the device, which is already seven years behind Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, which debuted in 2019. The device’s rollout, however, was beset by technical problems.
Chinese device-maker Huawei, meanwhile, announced its first folding phone in 2019 and the first ever tri-fold smartphone in 2024. Samsung also debuted a tri-fold smartphone that retailed for about $2,900, but began winding down production last month after only about three months of sales, Bloomberg reported.
“It’s true that more issues than expected have emerged during the early test production phase, and additional time will be needed to resolve them and make necessary adjustments. … The current situation could put the mass production timeline at risk,” an unidentified source told Nikkei Asia of Apple’s challenges.
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Apple’s folding iPhone is meant to keep the tech giant competitive with rivals like Samsung, and create a device more conducive for watching videos. According to Bloomberg, the phone is expected to run on the standard iOS, rather than iPad-specific software, but will allow for iPad capabilities, such as running two apps side-by-side. Apple is reportedly developing new layouts for various iPhone apps, and allowing for sidebars of the type currently available for iPads, Bloomberg reported. The device is expected to retail for about $2,000 if it does eventually go on sale.
Apple did not respond to Inc.’s request for comment about the device and possible delays.
Nikkei Asia reported in January that Apple was planning to push production of the more standard iPhone 18 until 2027 to prioritize delivery of the foldable phone and other premium models for fall, which is typically when Apple launches sales of its latest gadgets. The move was reportedly meant to maximize profit and better allocate components at a time when the cost of key parts like chips is surging. But engineering for a folding phone is more complex, and the devices must meet a series of rigorous tests and deadlines. According to Nikkei, Apple initially expects to produce a maximum of about 8 million folding devices to start, while gauging appetite among consumers.
Apple has been heavily rumored to have been considering developing a folding device since as far back as 2021. Bloomberg reported in January of that year that the tech behemoth had begun early work on a folding model to compete with similar devices from Samsung, as well as to allow for a larger screen in a smaller format.
Apple had long been known for a more calculated approach to innovation, valuing execution over a first-mover advantage. But the company has been under scrutiny in recent years for this approach, with critics suggesting it is falling behind in key areas like AI and hardware.
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