The time is right for a foldable iPhone

Android World Enjoyed foldable smartphone for six years, but Apple fans may soon be able to join in—a Iphone could arrive by 2026, according to a report from The Information.

The project, codenamed V68, is in the early stages of development and there’s no guarantee it will ever come to fruition, but the report says it has moved beyond the concept stage and suppliers have been brought on board. It would be Apple’s first major design change to its flagship product since iPhone X in 2017. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the foldable iPhone report.

Apple’s move comes at a time when the popularity of foldable smartphones is soaring worldwide. Analyst firm Counterpoint Research reports that the foldable phone market up 49 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, the highest growth rate in six quarters. iPhone shipments have down 13 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last yearSo a foldable iPhone could be just what Apple needs to boost sales.

But foldable phones aren’t just getting more popular, they’re also getting more mature. The latest models are much more refined and durable than those clumsy early attempts. Samsung has spent the past six years openly tweaking its foldable smartphone—each year bringing small changes to the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip seriesimproved display durability and hinge reliability. These were the biggest drawbacks to the form factor in the early days of foldables, but advances in glass technology and hinge engineering have brought the foldables of 2024 closer and closer to a quality level that matches what you’d expect from a traditional smartphone. The latest models from Samsung have IP48 water and dust resistance ratingAnd while its dust resistance still isn’t as good as non-foldable phones, it’s a step closer.

Samsung may have the longest track record, but the competition is close behind, with Huawei And Motorola cut a large part of Samsung’s market share and new devices from OnePlus And Google are competing for consumers’ attention. That means there’s more manufacturing capacity to make these foldable phones, though they’re still expensive—while Motorola offers a $700 foldable phone, Samsung just raised the price of its mobile phone.

All the moves in the market make this the perfect time for Apple to enter the foldable phone race.

Apple is said to have tested the product in two sizes, but the project that’s been greenlit is for a flip phone, like Motorola’s Razr or Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6. These types of flip phones let you enjoy a full-size smartphone, then fold it in half to fit in a pocket or backpack. You get a similar smartphone experience but in a small package. There’s usually an external “cover screen,” and you can imagine Apple potentially creating a way to access notifications, widgets, and even Siri (with AI Integration Improvements) there.