The iPhone Fold is taking concrete shape. According to new reports from China, Apple has placed production orders for its first foldable iPhone. This strengthens the indications that the device will be released later this year. Details regarding the display's fold are particularly revealing – an area that has been considered a technical challenge for foldable smartphones.
For years, there has been speculation about when Apple would enter the foldable phone market. While manufacturers like Samsung have already released several generations of foldable devices, Apple has been conspicuously reserved. Now, the time seems to have come.
The Chinese Weibo account "Fixed Focus Digital" reports that the production lines recently received orders from Apple. In this context, technical specifications regarding the folding mechanism of the 7.8-inch internal display are also said to have been revealed. This coincides with reports last year from the Chinese website UDN that Apple had solved "the folding problem" that plagues many current foldable devices.
Production start confirmed
The awarding of production contracts is considered a clear indication that the iPhone Fold is no longer in the pure development stage. When production lines are being prepared, a market launch is usually imminent within a few months.
According to current information, Apple is planning a September unveiling – alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. If this date is confirmed, the iPhone Fold would represent the biggest change to the iPhone form factor since the introduction of the first iPhone in 2007.
Rebate depth less than 0.15 mm
The new information focuses on specific measurements of the display's fold. The fold depth is said to have been limited to less than 0.15 millimeters.
The crease depth describes how deep the visible or tactile indentation is along the fold line. The smaller this value, the less pronounced the groove in the display. A shallow crease depth therefore means that the crease is less noticeable both visually and to the touch.
No concrete comparative figures from other manufacturers exist, as competing brands typically do not publish such measurements. A direct comparison is therefore difficult.
Folding angle less than 2.5 degrees
In addition to the fold depth, the fold angle was also mentioned. This should be less than 2.5 degrees.
The fold angle describes how sharp the fold line appears when the device is unfolded. Technically, it's the angle formed at the fold when the display is fully open. A smaller angle results in a smoother transition across the fold and therefore a more even surface without a pronounced edge.
New display panel from Samsung
Reports indicate that the iPhone Fold will be equipped with a new display panel developed by Samsung. This panel is said to have not been used in any other foldable device before.
Several sources describe the display as "virtually crease-free" or even as having "no crease at all." Whether these descriptions are technically absolute remains unclear. However, it is evident that Apple has gone to great lengths to make the crease as inconspicuous as possible.
Displays and design
The iPhone Fold is expected to have a 7.8-inch main display when unfolded. This will be complemented by a 5.5-inch cover display on the outside.
The design will be book-style, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. It is therefore not a vertically folding "flip" device, but a smartphone that unfolds sideways, thus offering a larger, almost tablet-like workspace.
Cameras and biometric solution
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's first foldable smartphone will be equipped with two rear cameras. Additionally, a front-facing camera and another selfie camera on the inner display are planned.
Touch ID is to be integrated into the power button as a biometric solution. Face ID technology built under the display is not mentioned in the current reports.
Case thickness
Specific details are also available regarding the thickness. When unfolded, the iPhone Fold is expected to be only 4.5 millimeters thick. When closed, a thickness of between 9 and 9.5 millimeters is anticipated.
These values would make the device appear particularly slim when open, while when closed it is in a range typical for foldable devices.
iPhone Fold: Measurable progress in folding technology
The iPhone Fold is apparently in production and is expected to be unveiled later this year. The details known so far focus primarily on the fold of the 7.8-inch display. With a fold depth of less than 0.15 millimeters and a fold angle of less than 2.5 degrees, Apple has set measurable targets that suggest a significantly reduced visibility and tactile perception of the fold line.
The concept is complemented by a new Samsung display panel, a 5.5-inch cover display, a book-like design, multiple cameras, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. If the unveiling takes place as planned in September, the iPhone Fold will mark the biggest change in iPhone design since 2007. (Photo by sabelskaya / Bigstockphoto)
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