Foldable smartphones have been around for a comfortable amount of time. I've seen so many foldables released in the short time that I've been writing about them, but they were in the world for over five years before that. Most of the biggest smartphone OEMs have dabbled into that market segment at this point.
However, there's one notable exception in the list, and I think most people would agree that's Apple. Sure, the major American brand doesn't play in the same space as the Android manufacturers, but it is still a smartphone brand nonetheless. That foldable is coming though, and reports say production has commenced ahead of launch next year.
Apple Has Started Display Production for the Foldable iPhone
The foldable iPhone was going to come. It was only a question of when. Foldables became a thing in late 2018, when the Royole Flexpai was finally released to consumers. Despite Royole quickly succumbing to the pressure, major brands like Samsung and Motorola jumped into the ring and have been there ever since, putting in plenty of work to refine the foldable formula.
Now, the one of the biggest smartphone brands in the world, and one of the few to not have tried its hand at foldables, is expected to jump into the arena next year. Apple has reached a point where it seems clear that it won't be turning back from its plans, as it has reportedly commenced production of the displays for its foldable iPhone.
Samsung, one of its biggest competitors for when the device actually launches, is in charge of making the display panels for Apple. It's also rumored that Samsung will be the sole supplier of displays for the upcoming device, but considering the company is one of the best in the world when it comes to making OLED panels and has gained plenty of experience in making durable foldable panels, that's not a bad choice.
Don't Be Surprised If Apple Acts Like It Reinvented the Wheel
If you've paid attention to enough of Apple's launch events, especially as an Android user, you'll know the company has a knack for adopting technologies that have been around for several years and treating them like a cutting-edge innovation. For instance, when Apple introduced the following, it treated them as revolutionary:
- USB-C ports on iPhones
- 5G support
- Always-on display
- Widgets
- UI theming
It'd be a bit silly to expect that a design change as notable as a foldable phone won't be treated in the exact same fashion. Be prepared to be annoyed by that.
Is Apple's Upcoming iPhone the Reason Why Samsung Has Decided to Be Serious?
Apple does have a very premium approach to its hardware, so I am excited to see what the company has in store with the foldable iPhone. There are a few specs rumored already, though it is still very early to tell whether they'll pan out.
| Foldable Apple iPhone (Rumored) | |
| Foldable Screen Size | 7.58 inches |
| Aspect Ratio | 14.1:10 |
| Screen Resolution | 2713×1920 |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP + 48MP |
| Pricing | ~$2,000 |
While the foldable Apple iPhone may not knock the current Android flagships out of the water considering how refined they've gotten, the model is bound to be Samsung's biggest competitor in the foldable space—much more so than Google's option. That makes me think it might have been the reason why Samsung decided to wake up with the Z Fold 7. Samsung might need to do more to be a solid alternative to iOS lovers though.
