As flip and foldable smartphones become more and more popular in the smartphone market, it’s surprising that we’re still waiting for Apple to throw its hat in the ring with its own iPhone version.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Google Pixel Fold, and Motorola Razr+ are just some of the leading phones in this corner of the smartphone market right now and, as things stand, Apple is quite happy for that to remain the case. For now.
Why hasn’t Apple released a flip phone yet?
Apple are never too bothered about being first to market with its products. It’s always about quality. They’d rather be last to market with the best product and, perhaps, this is why they’re taking so long with the iPhone Flip.
We can safely assume there won’t be an iPhone Flip this year, with the iPhone 16 models coming later in 2024.
Regardless, here’s what we know so far.
iPhone Flip: What we know so far and rumors
From patent leaks, foldable glass samples, Apple Pencil compatibility suggestions, and loads more, rumors centered around the iPhone Flip do appear to vary depending on the source.
However, it’s fair to say they all point towards Apple doing its best to ensure its version of the flip phone is not only the best on the market, but also breaks new ground when it comes to design, durability, and quality.
Design
In February 2019, Apple filed patents with the US Patent and Trademark Office that showed various designs for a foldable handset. Some included large internal displays with single folding hinges, while there was also one that included two hinges, three displays and a Z-shaped folding style.
Furthermore, in March 2020 a patent was discovered which suggested Apple may be considering a foldable with two displays, separated by a single hinge. This particular patent also made reference to “joint operating mode” which allows for a single screen to be joined by a magnetically connected secondary display. This points us towards Apple thinking of a foldable tablet, but we can’t be sure.
Blink twice if is coming this year!?
— Paul J (@1PaulJ_) June 13, 2020
Leaker Jon Prosser further fuelled reports of an upcoming iPhone Flip on Twitter in June 2020.
Another leaked patent, unearthed in 2018 by PatentlyApple, shows a device with a foldable display that doesn’t completely fold half-and-half, but instead leaves a small strip at the bottom for things like notifications and other information (below).
Therefore, it’s quite clear Apple are toying with various design ideas and are seemingly leaving no stone unturned in their quest to find the right design to enter the market with. The first iPhone Flip patent leak was unearthed in 2016 and eight years on, we’re still no closer to anything concrete.
Screen & Display
This is arguably where Apple is facing its biggest challenge. One of the biggest obstacles is the visible display crease in a foldable handset. Apple, with its notoriously high standards, is understandably investigating ways in to eradicate it.
The glass and plastic mix that Samsung uses for the Z Fold and Z Flip models shows a visible crease when folded out and, as Samsung makes a large amount of iPhone displays, Apple is likely not convinced they can do it with their help. A report in May 2024, though, suggested Apple had signed a pact with Samsung Display for a foldable device.
Corning, Apple’s glass provider, would need to create a bendable version of its Ceramic Shield screen for Apple to achieve what we think they want to achieve but, while they are already working on it, there’s no official launch date for it yet.
It may mean, though, that if a fix for the fold can’t be found, Apple may opt for a dual-display device with a single central hinge.
But in May 2024, Design Boom reported that Apple had filed a patent for a foldable device with a self-healing screen, designed to fix minor dents and scratches on its own and without the user’s help. This process uses heat, light or electric current to speed up the self-healing process.
In terms of size, there are different reports here, too. According to a report by The Information, Apple halted plans for an iPhone Flip around 2020, as it pivoted attention towards a folding iPad with an 8-inch display. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo further backs this up.
Meanwhile, one leak suggests the display is likely to be 7.3-inch or 7.6-inches across. Elsewhere, there are also rumors that it could be nearer 7.9-inches and that the foldable display could be on the outside of the handset, like the Huawei Mate Xs 2, and would likely be a large enough display for Apple Pencil compatibility.
Here’s a concept video of how the finished product might look…
Features & Specs
One recent patent won by Apple details a self-preserving mechanism, which will enable the hing to close mid-drop and, in turn, protect the screen from damage.
Apple is also toying with plans to use a color e-ink display on the outside of the handset. That would go a long way in preserving battery life.
From a specs perspective, we should naturally expect 5G support, strong battery life and high-end processing capabilities.
Software and Capabilities
This depends on whether Apple launches with a phone or a tablet for their first foldable device.
If it’s an iPhone, we should expect it to come with the latest iOS at the time of release, but with additional capabilities for a foldable device. If it’s a tablet, we should expect the same but for it to be the latest iPadOS when released.
iPhone Flip: Release date rumors
Apple is actively developing a foldable iPhone, which might debut as soon as 2026, according to a report by The Information. This upcoming model is expected to feature a horizontal fold, similar to the clamshell-style Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
In February, The Information revealed that Apple was exploring two prototypes for a foldable iPhone. It now appears that Apple has made significant progress, as the device is reportedly known internally as V68, signaling that it has advanced past the conceptual phase and is currently in development with suppliers.
Apple is focusing on improving the phone’s design by reducing the crease visible when the device is unfolded and making it thinner. This aligns with a recent report from DigiTimes, which also details Apple’s plans for a foldable phone. Additionally, there are rumors about Apple working on a foldable MacBook that could begin shipping in 2026.
How much could the iPhone Flip cost?
This will be determined by how Apple eventually approaches the design and the materials and technology they use.
If it opts for a small foldable then it may be priced similarly to something like the iPhone 15 Pro Max ($1,199) but, if they go for a larger handset, has new technology and/or can be both a phone and a tablet, then it’s more likely to enter the market around the $2,000 price point, much like the Galaxy Fold when it debuted.
They could launch with both – a premium version alongside a cheaper model. We may then see both handsets fall at either end of the pricing spectrum.
Featured Image: iPhone Flip concept design by Technizo Concept/LetsGoDigital