We’ve been hearing claims about foldable iPhones and iPads for years, and the latest supply chain report suggests they could arrive as soon as 2024.
Today’s report echoes previous ones, claiming that Apple will release a foldable iPad before the foldable iPhone…
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Why Apple’s foldable device hasn’t arrived yet
We saw the first foldable Android phone back in 2019, and of course, whenever Samsung or another Apple competitor does something, the “Apple is being left behind” bits immediately follow.
The folly of launching before the technology was ready for real use quickly became apparent: the launch of the first Galaxy Fold model was a complete disaster.
Although pre-orders were successful, it only took 48 hours before serious problems were discovered during reviewers’ testing of the device. Samsung initially said it was delaying the launch until May and then canceled pre-orders. The company then talked about launching in July, but also canceled it. Three years later, our sister site discovered that the biggest flaw is still present in the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and even now that crease has not gone away.
First we fold the iPad
While there hasn’t been much consistency in analyst forecasts, one consensus seems to have emerged: Apple will release a foldable iPad before a foldable iPhone.
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Display analyst Ross Young said last year that there was no sign of work on a foldable iPhone in the supply chain, and he didn’t expect it to happen until 2025. This was later supported by Ming-Chi Kuo, who further suggested that the first device could be a foldable iPad, with CCS Insight also supporting this look.
Some debate what this even means: is something the size of an iPhone when folded and the size of an iPad when unfolded a foldable phone or a foldable tablet?
However, the general expectation is that this type of device will likely be called a foldable iPhone, so a foldable iPad will likely be something that unfolds to a larger display size than Apple’s maximum display size of 12.9 inches , which is currently offered by Apple.
Foldable iPad coming in 2024
While Ming-Chi Kuo said earlier this year that he was “confident” that a foldable iPad would launch in 2024, others are less certain.
A new report from Digitimes suggests it’s possible, but suggests a launch is more likely in 2025.
Supply chain sources said Apple is working with suppliers to develop the foldable iPad, and small-scale production could begin as early as late 2024. This suggests that Apple could announce this product in late 2024 or early 2025. […]
Although the design has not yet been finalized, mass production could begin as early as late 2024 based on current progress.
So, either small-scale or mass production by the end of 2024. The former clearly points to a 2025 launch, while the latter still makes early 2025 a more likely bet.
One could argue that Apple would like to launch it during the holiday gift-giving season if possible, but the price of the foldable iPad is likely to be well above the level most would consider for gifts, so that doesn’t seem like a compelling reason to rush.
Fold rather than two separate screens
One of the key design decisions to make is whether to use two separate displays or one flexible display. There will be a small gap between the former, although in practice it can be made very small; the latter will have a fold.
A report today suggests that Apple is opting for a single flexible screen despite concerns about it.
South Korean media reports say Apple is in talks with Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD) to supply panels for foldable products. Apple remains concerned about panel crease, but panel manufacturers have been able to make the crease less noticeable to consumers through mechanical designs.
The hinge is a stumbling block
According to Digitimes, one of the design issues that has not yet been resolved is the hinge mechanism.
According to hinge maker Fositek’s pre-IPO briefing, the folding hinge it makes for its laptop customers consists of 885 parts. Supply chain officials noted that Apple’s design aims to simplify and reduce the number of parts in the hinges. Even if the manufacturing tolerance of each part was only 1%, it would still have a huge impact on the overall yield.
Opinion
Digitimes has good sourcing, but sometimes makes giant leaps between what it knows and what it thinks it means. While there is no doubt that Apple is working on both foldable iPhones and iPads, the details remain in the realm of speculation.
However, I think it’s likely that the foldable iPad will come out before the foldable iPhone, if only because it will give Apple a chance to test the technology—and work out any issues that arise—in a smaller, lower-profile product before putting it to the test. verification. the foldable iPhone takes center stage.
As for when we’ll see it, I’m firmly confident in 2025, not 2024.