Two Foldable iPhone Prototypes Reportedly Pass Internal Durability Tests

[MacRumors]

Two prototype foldable iPhones have passed internal tests for durability, according to Taiwanese website Economic Daily News.

Tests of an Apple-designed folding hinge system for two different iPhones were reportedly recently completed at the Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, China.

The first foldable iPhone to undergo testing is said to be a dual-screen model, which is likely the same dual-display prototype rumored by Jon Prosser in June 2020. Prosser explained at the time that this model used two separate display panels connected by a hinge. Though the prototype ‌iPhone‌ features two separate displays connected by a hinge, Prosser claimed that the panels look "fairly continuous and seamless." It is also of note that Apple has patented a device with two separate displays that can be brought together to create a single foldable device with a hinge, which sounds strikingly similar to the rumored dual-screen Apple foldable.

The second prototype to have undergone testing is reportedly a clamshell foldable, much like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Lenovo's Moto RAZR. The UDN report claims that this clamshell model is set to use a flexible Samsung OLED display. Previous reports have also said that Apple ordered a "large number" of Samsung foldable mobile phone display samples for testing purposes earlier in 2020.

It is unclear if the two devices to have been tested had different hinge systems. The test units are purported to be shells with very limited internals rather than fully-working devices. This is because the main purpose of the testing was to assess the durability of the Apple-designed hinge system. The report states that now the testing has concluded, Apple is expected to evaluate which of the two foldable models to proceed with, and only one will be carried forwards into continued development.

The findings of this report also appear to have been mirrored by sources speaking to Jon Prosser. Prosser explained in a recent Front Page Tech video that there were two prototype foldable iPhones in testing, including one with two display panels and one clamshell with a single flexible OLED display. Prosser's sources also said that these units have passed durability testing and are now being evaluated by Apple.

A report from November 2020 stated that Apple had sent foldable iPhones to Foxconn to test the folding bearings with over 100,000 opening and closing tests, which appears to be analogous to the newly-concluded run of testing. Given the consistency of rumors surrounding foldable iPhones from multiple sources, particularly related to testing, they may be more credible.

UDN predicts that a foldable iPhone will not emerge until late 2022 or 2023 at the earliest. Apple has filed for a large number of patents relating to a foldable iPhone dating back to 2016, and it seems highly likely that work on a foldable iPhone is progressing.

Article Link: Two Foldable iPhone Prototypes Reportedly Pass Internal Durability Tests

 

[Rainshadow]

Give it your best shot, Apple. Just TRY to make me want a foldable phone.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I like to think that Apple will do a good job of this concept. They'll no doubt bring a lot more to the table with their H/W and S/W control.

 

[Corsig]

There will be hundreds of people today saying how stupid this is and they’ll never get it. Fast forward a year later and they’ll be typing how the next Apple phone will suck on that double screened phone

 

[dannyyankou]

Personal opinion, foldables don’t seem to be better at anything than a smartphone or a tablet. It makes for cool demo, but it seems like a mediocre tablet and phone combo.

 

[cableguy84]

Creasing will surely always be an issue. I wouldn’t be able to unsee the crease

 

[nepalisherpa]

I can only imagine how Apple will market the hinge. Super Smooth and Elegant Hinge (or SSE Hinge).

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Personal opinion, foldables don’t seem to be better at anything than a smartphone or a tablet. It makes for cool demo, but it seems like a mediocre tablet and phone combo.

Surely this depends on the end user/scenario? For someone who wants the most productivity on the go, it could potentially be very useful to have apps open side-by-side.

 

[nt5672]

I think this is absolutely the best design to forever enforce iPhone upgrades every three years (or whatever the new warranty period will be). You thought a non-user replaceable battery was good for business? This is great? What a great concept for Apple stockholders.

I can see it now. You're folding it too many times. Fold-gate. Can't wait.

 

[Dave245]

The first one (two displays with a hinge) sound like the Surface Duo, I wonder if Apple are creating a competitor to the Duo.

 

[LeadingHeat]

I just hope in true Apple fashion that this thing is super polished. I don’t want an entrance into the market with a half baked product just to “keep up”. Again, knowing Apple I have good hopes that wouldn’t happen. I wonder what they could bring to the table to make this type of device game changing, and potentially convince me that it isn’t a gimmick but rather a device that’s going to stick around.

The biggest part for me is durability. Not only opening and closing (although extremely important... how often do you find yourself unlocking your phone every day? That sounds like it would be the equivalent of physically opening this foldable phone) but also drop tests. This sounds like much more glass, and when hinges are added in, I can’t imagine it would be more durable than what we currently have in iPhones.

 

[syklee26]

Ah... the magic hinge

 

[rp2011]

I personally think foldable phones are the stupidest things, but hey! Choice!
My prediction though, if Apple releases such a device, it will BOMB. Just like every other ridiculous gimmicky foldable phone that has been released.

 

[subi257]

Knowing it's Apple, somehow it will just work. They will throw a lot of resources at it. I can only imaging the price, because the Samsung offering has a starting price of just over $1500.00 and going over $2k...so.

I know there will be people that will want it. to me personally it's too big as is the "Max". My sweet spot size wise is my 11Pro....but that's just mt and there are other opinions.

 

[spinedoc77]

Great, I can't wait to get back to Apple, but I've been immensely enjoying my Galaxy Fold 2. To me foldable phones are a complete paradigm changer and I don't think I could ever go back. I'm hoping some different concepts come to fruition such as rollable screens instead of foldable, but they are all under the same paradigm.

Just waiting for the inevitable "Why would anyone want a foldable phone?", which will change to "Wow why didn't anyone else think of this?" the minute Apple releases one.

 

[subi257]

Surely this depends on the end user/scenario? For someone who wants the most productivity on the go, it could potentially be very useful to have apps open side-by-side.

That is very true, I work in a major financial corporation and more and more of the C suite people are starting to just carry around a 12.9" iPad Pro

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

The first one (two displays with a hinge) sound like the Surface Duo, I wonder if Apple are creating a competitor to the Duo.

Sounds like a Nintendo DS to me.

 

[I7guy]

Apple you already know this, if you decide to release this model, it has to be bullet-proof. You'll really take it on the proverbial chin if it isn't.

 

[Serban55]

Creasing will surely always be an issue. I wouldn’t be able to unsee the crease

Depends...if you are still bothered and not used to the notch....than , yes , you will hate the crease
but you got used to with the notch, than, you will be ok with creasing on foldable too

 

[JosephAW]

Just use two displays. We lived with Trinitron mask wires for years yet it was the best quality displays.

 

[drcre8tive]

not on my wish list, ever

 

[biffuz]

That design with a notch on one side is just hilarious. I already hate smartphones with a notch as it is, no need for an asymmetrical design. And don't get me started with the ones with a punch hole...
What about putting more effort on under screen sensors?

EDIT: before some smart guy says something, I KNOW it's not an official Apple design.

 

[The Cappy]

It's ridiculous that they might be doing this, and yet they won't enable the Phone.app on their LTE iPads. This thing will cost far more than any iPad and it will be far inferior to an iPad when unfolded. On the bright side though, it'll be double thickness when folded. Come on, Apple, at least give people a choice.

 

[lazyrighteye]

EDN citing Prosser as source - ohman...

Say Apple is working on a foldable device (why wouldn’t they?). And say that work manifests into a shipping product (why would they?). I wonder if it would be positioned more as an iPad mini than aniPhone.

While I’m not currently interested in such a device, Apple is the only company that could make me think otherwise. That said, I’d be surprised if a foldable hand held comes to light - mainly because I can’t see the draw. What today issue is it addressing?

 

[FightTheFuture]

I just hope in true Apple fashion that this thing is super polished. I don’t want an entrance into the market with a half baked product just to “keep up”. Again, knowing Apple I have good hopes that wouldn’t happen. I wonder what they could bring to the table to make this type of device game changing, and potentially convince me that it isn’t a gimmick but rather a device that’s going to stick around.

The only thing Apple really needs to do is make folded mode as usable and ergonomic as the iPhone is now. Save the open-mode for when your stationary. The average smartphone user unlocks their device over 80 times a day. As long as it's fully capable without unfolding, with no compromises, a folding iPhone would gain traction.