In days gone by, foldable, flippable, and slidable phones were the height of fashion. When Apple arrived on the scene, the game changed. The flagship iPhone design set a benchmark that the industry followed for the next decade and a half, it seemed like the foldable phone was a thing of the past.
However, in recent times it would appear that our tearful goodbye to the foldable phone was premature, with Samsung releasing its own foldable models, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Z Flip 4, to much acclaim. Could Apple be ready to follow suit and release the first-ever foldable iPhone? Let’s find out.
A Break from Tradition
The Apple design for smartphones set the standard that all companies were quick to follow. The size and style of the iPhone make it a true marvel of modern product design. The iPhone’s shape makes it easy to hold and use, and it is perfect for combining with other accessories, such as leather iPhone cases. If you want your very own premium leather iPhone case, check out Manteiro.
Given the incredible success of the iPhone and the critical acclaim of its design, it might come as a surprise to learn that Apple is set to move in a totally different direction and release the very first foldable iPhone.
While there has been nothing official from Apple, reputable industry experts are confident we could see a foldable iPhone or even an iPad far sooner than many would have expected, with some reports predicting we could see one as soon as this year.
What Will a Foldable iPhone Look Like?
Given Apple’s longstanding adherence to its principles of style and design, it can be difficult to visualize just what a foldable iPhone might look like. Experts are predicting that this new type of iPhone will come with a screen far larger than we’re used to. With its ability to fold up, this larger screen will not come at the expense of the device’s practicality.
A foldable iPhone could have a screen size as large as eight inches, not far off the size of the screens on some iPads and larger than the screen on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4. The foldable iPhone could open horizontally like a book, or vertically like a clamshell.
How Likely is a Foldable iPhone?
Speculation is all well and good, but how realistic is the idea of a foldable iPhone? Recent news would suggest that’s a matter of when, not if, as the US Patent Office published information revealing that Apple had been awarded a patent for a foldable electronic device.
So, it seems likely that we could see the very first foldable iPhone in the very near future. Will there be an audience for it? Apple has never had trouble selling its products, but such a move away from the traditional could have a negative effect. However, many newer iPhones are criticized for being too big, so a foldable iPhone could be the perfect way to address this issue.