While Samsung relies heavily on foldable smartphones, Apple is not yet offering its fans this technology. For some time, however, rumors have been circulating that the Cupertino company is secretly developing foldable iPhones.
For example, a few days ago we relayed unofficial sources suggesting that Apple is developing a device with a 7.3- to 7.6-inch foldable OLED display that supports a stylus. These had also indicated that the first foldable iPhone could be released in 2023.
Another rumor had emerged that Apple had asked one of its suppliers to make two prototypes for the future foldable iPhone.
Finally not before 2024?
Unfortunately, a new rumor suggests it will be even longer to see the first foldable iPhone if Apple doesn’t ditch the idea along the way. This new information comes from an article by Ubergizmo relaying to Korean media.
According to this article, there is no evidence that Apple’s supply chain will be ready for the launch of a foldable iPhone in 2023. The same source suggests that the Cupertino company would still have doubts to this day, especially when one thinks of the benefits that could be had with a foldable iPhone (given Samsung’s relatively low shipments).
Of course, all of this information is not official at the moment. And that’s why caution is always advisable. However, it would be surprising if Apple didn’t explore the possibilities of foldable screens, as these items are a lot of ink.
At the moment, however, foldable smartphones are still struggling to win over the masses, despite giving manufacturers good media coverage. In fact, these are still very expensive compared to smartphones with non-foldable screens. Still, the prices of foldable smartphones are expected to gradually decrease.
Samsung: a cheaper foldable smartphone in 2021?
As mentioned earlier in this article, Samsung relies heavily on foldable smartphones. And right now a lot of rumors are already circulating about the devices that the Korean giant will bring out this year.
For example, rumor has it that one of these devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, could support the S Pen pen. On the other hand, this smartphone could also be the first Samsung branded mobile phone to use the camera hidden under the screen (a technology similar to that of the ZTE Axon 20 5G).
On the other hand, Samsung could also launch a foldable smartphone at a cheaper price this year. This was mentioned by many rumors back in 2020. In a blog post, the head of the group’s mobile division, TM Roh, almost confirmed these rumors.
“True to our tradition of always being one step ahead with the latest mobile technology, we will expand our portfolio of foldable products so that this revolutionary category is more accessible to everyone.”, he wrote.
Other brands could launch their first foldable smartphones in 2021
Otherwise, the media are also suggesting that other brands could launch their first foldable smartphones in 2021. For example, documents mentioned on the 9to5Google website suggest that Google could launch its first foldable smartphone at the same time as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6. XL this year.
There is also Xiaomi, which has already shown a prototype of a foldable smartphone in the video that can be folded into three parts. Rumor has it that this Chinese brand may finally launch its first folding screen device this year.
And finally, there’s a rumor that Samsung Display may finally be shipping foldable displays to other companies this year. So far, the foldable screens of this Samsung subsidiary are only available for Korean-branded smartphones.
Other brands are now interested in rollable (or expandable) screens
While foldable smartphones have not yet fully seduced the general public, some brands have already introduced concepts for rollable or expandable screen smartphones. Among these are TCL, LG and Oppo.
Soon … 😉 pic.twitter.com/gTTSjzlVf3
– Lemon squeezer (@pressecitron) February 9, 2021
