Apple's Secret 'iPhone Flip' and Foldable iPad Projects Revealed

Apple is rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone, potentially called the "iPhone Flip," with two different sizes similar to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus. The tech giant is also reportedly developing a folding tablet with an 8-inch display, akin to the iPad Mini.

However, Apple has been struggling to meet its high expectations for the iPhone Flip, including making it half as thin as current iPhone models and having visible displays on the outside when folded shut. Development on the foldable phone was halted around 2020 to focus on the folding iPad project, which has less strict durability and thickness requirements.

The development of foldable devices by Apple and its competitors has the potential to revolutionize the smartphone and tablet industries, changing the way we interact with and use our devices. As a leader in the tech industry, Apple's foray into foldable devices could set a new standard for innovation and influence consumer behavior.

Why this matters: Despite registering patents for foldable technologies for almost a decade, there is no guarantee that Apple will release a foldable iPhone. Rumored release dates have come and gone, from 2020 to 2021. Analyst Ming Chi Kuo suggested a 2023 release, but that is looking increasingly unlikely as the year progresses. Kuo and display analyst Ross Young now predict a 2025 release window at the earliest."Apple may launch its first foldable product in 2025 at the earliest, which may be a foldable iPad or a hybrid of iPad and iPhone,"stated Kuo.

Apple's design team wants the iPhone Flip to be half as thin as current iPhone models. The company is working on reducing the crease in the middle of the folding display and getting the iPad to lie fully flat. Samsung is rumored to be providing folding panels for the iPhone Flip's display, but Apple was dissatisfied with the performance of the screens after they broke down a few days into testing.

While Apple explores foldable devices, competitors like Samsung, Motorola, and Google have already released their own models, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Motorola Razr Plus, and Pixel Fold. Apple has been focusing its efforts on the recently launched AR/VR headset, the Apple Vision Pro, which debuted in early 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Apple is rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone, potentially called "iPhone Flip", with two sizes.
• Development was halted in 2020 to focus on a folding iPad project with less strict requirements.
• Apple aims to make the iPhone Flip half as thin as current models with visible displays when folded.
• Predicted release dates have been pushed back, with 2025 being the earliest expected release.
• Competitors like Samsung, Motorola, and Google have already released their own foldable devices.