While Samsung is all about folding smartphones, Apple doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to adopt this new format. And according to an article from 9to5Mac, which relays a report from Display Supply Chain Consultants, it is even possible that the Cupertino company has postponed the release of its first folding smartphone.
Although Apple has never expressed any interest in foldable screens, rumors have suggested that the firm could launch its first folding iPhone in 2023 or 2024. But ultimately, this model would not be released until 2025.
Analyst Ross Young says Display Supply Chain Consultants is delaying its expectations for Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market by two years until 2025 after discussions with our supply chain contacts. Indeed, Apple would not be in a hurry at all and besides, the development of its first folding iPhone could take even longer.
DSCC issues this opinion at a time when, however, folding smartphones are finally of interest to the general public. As a reminder, Samsung has been offering this type of device since 2019. But it was not until 2021 that its sales finally took off. Last year, sales quadrupled compared to 2020.
And today, while Samsung no longer sells Galaxy Note smartphones, it is now its folding smartphones that occupy the old launch window of this range in the second half of the year.
Apple also wants to offer Macs with foldable screens
According to the 9to5Mac article, in addition to smartphones, Apple is also interested in foldable screens for computers. More exactly, the firm would be interested in foldable screens of 20.x inches. These could one day equip a product which, when folded, would be a notebook. And when unfolded, the product could be used as a larger screen, with an external keyboard. But such a product would not be released until 2026, if Apple decides to continue development.
In any case, it should be noted that other brands are already interested in foldable screens for computers, including Samsung. Commercial products have even already been presented: the foldable screen computers from Lenovo, and that of ASUS.
But of course, for the moment, this information does not come from an official source, caution is always in order.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/madsack/S7H26DUUWRBDHDSATCDLWSNU7A.jpg "Schnapszahl babies were born on February 22, 2022 at 2:22 a.m. in Leverkusen, Stade and Halle (Saale).")