While the iPhone 13 has yet to be released, information has come in that Apple may be developing not one but two foldable smartphones that will debut in 2023 This is according to a new report from Business Korea, which suggests that Apple may be working with LG to develop a 75-inch OLED foldable display panel
The source also claims that the two foldable devices could mimic Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 concepts, meaning one could feature a clamshell design and the other a convertible phablet This means that one could have a clamshell design and the other could be a convertible phablet The name of Apple's foldable device is not mentioned, but many are calling one of them the iPhone Flip However, according to the DSCC, the iPhone Flip release date may not come until 2023 at the earliest
As of now, Samsung is producing the best foldable phones on the market thanks to the recently released Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 Interestingly, the Business Korea article also mentions an industry insider, who is convinced that "the market is led by Samsung Electronics and Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei and Xiaomi, and Apple will not be able to lead the foldable smartphone market for a while"
He also states that "the market is not yet ready for a new smartphoneAnd while Samsung already beat Apple to the punch with the release of its first foldable device three years ago, it is not unreasonable that Cupertino is taking his time with the iPhone Flip allegations
Apple is known to take longer than its rivals in adopting new features and entering new categories In fact, a YouGov survey revealed that even Apple customers are less than thrilled with the idea of purchasing a foldable smartphone at this time Obviously, this could change with the release of Apple's foldable device
However, these foldable devices may be several years away; apart from Business Korea, reliable Apple informants such as Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have also reported that the iPhone Flip and foldable iPhone will not be announced until 2023, according to a few reports we have seen However, what sets this report apart from others is that Apple is allegedly working with LG
Other sources had previously speculated that Apple may be working with Samsung Display instead And since LG has just recently developed a new flexible material that folds in both directions and leaves no creases, we are curious to see if some (or any) of it will be implemented in Apple's potential foldable
At this stage, not much is known about the potential design, specs, or features of the device However, past patent filings and leaks give us some idea of what to expect; Jon Prosser, a well-known leaker at FrontPageTech, once told us that Apple's upcoming foldable "is not actually foldable"
"The current prototype has two separate display panels on a hinge Rounded stainless steel edges like the current iPhone 11 design There is no notch and a small forehead on the outer display that houses Face ID," Rieker explained
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also speculated that Apple's first foldable smartphone could have a very large 8-inch display For reference, this would be larger than Samsung's 76-inch Galaxy Z Fold 3 and just slightly smaller than the newly announced iPad mini 6
Be sure to bookmark or iPhone flip page for all of Apple's latest foldable phone news as we inch toward a possible launch
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