Revealing the reason why Apple paused the foldable iPhone project

MacRumors quoted Fix Focus Digital, a popular tech blogger on Weibo in China, saying that Apple has been testing foldable phones in research and development since 2016.

foldable iphone.png — Foldable iPhone project suspended due to Apple's strict requirements not being met by partners.

At least one of the devices uses a screen manufactured by Samsung. Samsung is currently the main supplier of display panels for Apple devices. The Korean display maker is also said to continue to supply screens for Apple's future foldable devices.

A recent report also revealed that Samsung is trying to enhance the performance of foldable displays, using its years of experience in making such displays, to get ahead of Apple's first foldable products.

However, newly leaked news says that the latest foldable display panel failed during Apple's rigorous internal testing process.

This has forced Apple to pause the entire foldable device project, at least until the partner's display can meet Apple's standards.

A report from The Information earlier this month claimed that Apple has built at least two foldable iPhone prototypes after more than five years of research and development.

These two iPhone prototypes feature a clamshell folding design, but it is not on Apple's roadmap for new product introductions in 2024 or 2025. The report further notes that the foldable iPhones could still be canceled if they do not meet Apple's strict standards.

It’s also unclear whether the announcement of the project’s demise will affect Apple’s continued development of the foldable iPad. Some previous reports have suggested that Apple is eyeing a larger device than the foldable iPhone because it wouldn’t need to meet the same high durability requirements as the ‌iPhone‌.

Earlier this month, Korean news outlet The Elec reported that Apple is reportedly considering launching its first foldable device in the next few years, with a 7- to 8-inch display to replace the 8.3-inch iPad mini. The timeframe for the device's launch is being considered between 2026 and 2027.

Additionally, Apple is also said to be working on a 20.5-inch foldable display product, which is expected to launch later than the 7- to 8-inch device.

CEO Tim Cook first talked to his engineers and designers about a foldable iPhone years ago. Apple is still weighing the technical issues and the high price tag. Current prices for direct competitors like Samsung’s foldable smartphones range from $1,000 to nearly $2,000, so it’s likely that Apple’s first foldable iPhone will cost between $1,100 and $2,000.

Here's a concept of Apple's foldable iPhone (Source: 4RMD/YouTube):

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