According to Taiwan’s Economic Daily News, two of Apple’s foldable iPhone prototypes have passed the company’s durability tests.
The durability tests of Apple’s folding hinge system design for two different iPhone prototypes were recently completed at the Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, China, EDN reports.
Hartley Charlton for MacRumors:
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.”
The second prototype to have undergone testing is reportedly a clamshell foldable… The UDN report claims that this clamshell model is set to use a flexible Samsung OLED display.
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.
Apple’s “foldable” iPhone isn’t really a foldable. 🧐
The current prototype has two separate display panels on a hinge.
Round, stainless steel edges like current iPhone 11 design.
No notch — tiny forehead on outter display that houses Face ID.
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) June 15, 2020
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote in June, “This iPhone Duo™ foldable iPhone prototype certainly seems much more durable than a single ‘foldable’ display with a noticeable ridge, groove, or spine down the middle as with other foldable devices that try to utilize flexible OLEDs.”
As with fingerprint and facial recognition, when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, then foldable smartphones will have been done right. — MacDailyNews, January 17, 2019
We’ll see a mess of weird attempts before Apple shows how it’s to be done, as usual. — MacDailyNews, January 23, 2019
If and when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, they’ll be showing the world how it should be done and what to copy going forward. As usual. — MacDailyNews, February 27, 2019
Why? Why? Why? Why?
Makes a million times more sense than your “art.”
Yes Dungler, why do you pollute the world with your (f)art? Uck Foff!
I can see the use of a device like this. An iPhone and a mini iPad in one unit.
Still a waste of time and money
I considered just getting an iPhone 12 and folding it myself, but I’m afraid that would void the warranty.
The concept of a foldable smartphone seems reasonable enough, but I would like to know what percentage of the population is demanding a foldable smartphone. Most consumers are not tech Youtubers who simply like to tinker with new designs. I’m mainly interested in the solid, reliable slab smartphone with good battery life and that’s all I aspire to. I don’t need any smartphone that folds out into a tablet. I definitely want a smartphone with an IPxx rating and I’m not too keen on any sorts of hinges inside a smartphone. There are claims how Samsung is trying to drive consumers to foldables, but at the current price range, I doubt that would be possible. I’m in no hurry for Apple to put out a foldable iPhone just to compete with Samsung. I’m rather puzzled as to who exactly NEEDS a thick, foldable smartphone. I believe it would have to be a very small percentage of people.
I’m a senior citizen and I can appreciate high-tech products, but in all honesty, I’m simply not interested in owning a foldable smartphone. I’m not judging any particular foldable smartphone as I have never tried one. I give respect to any company who is designing and selling foldable smartphones for the consumer who wants one.
I’m in two minds about folding phones. On the one hand, having both screens folded inside while carrying it around minimises the risk of accidentally scratching the screen, but on the other hand, needing to unfold the screen before answering a phone call is a bit annoying ( Motorola Flip Phones had the hinge along the short side and could be easily flipped open, you can’t do that so easily when it folds like a book ).
The solution I anticipated was a triple screen. The dual screen which folds up, but with a small screen on the outside for notifications, alerts and simple control.
Who asked for a foldable phone? Yeah, Oooh! Ahhhh!! WOW!!! But seriously? Who asked for this? That being said, two screens hinged together? …maybe, some. But I don’t care WHAT material you use when there’s a single screen bending back and forth and back and forth? Of COURSE I want to pay $2K for that.
Twice the price of a non-foldable?
Back in the day, I had the Moto Razr. It was the coolest mobile phone going. Then one day I tried to get on the internet. Boy was that a debacle. It was the only time I tried. Shortly after that attempt, that magical iPhone debuted.
We all know how the iPhone changed the game. We were and are able to things never before thought of nor comprehended. A 2-screened iPhone doesn’t seem to make sense, that is, until someone or something comes along to show us what we are missing.
Right now I am trying to read a really long article on audio speakers. I wish I had a bigger screen to see more (larger words) but I don’t want a Boulder in my pocket nor carry around an extra device (iPad).
Why is Apple still using Samsung displays? They need to make their own. It’s not like they haven’t had the money, time or talent….