Apple has begun “early work” on an iPhone that has a foldable screen, according to a new report from BloombergMark Gurman. Although it has begun testing a foldable “iPhone”, Apple has not committed to launching a device that has a foldable screen.
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Development has not yet extended beyond a display and Apple does not have foldable iPhone prototypes in its labs. Like other companies’ foldable smartphones, a foldable “iPhone” would allow Apple to create a larger display in a package that is still in your pocket.
Apple has discussed several foldable screen sizes, including one that runs at a size similar to the 6.7-inch display on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple’s designs are said to have a “largely invisible hinge,” with electronic elements located behind the display, rather than two panels separated by a visible hinge.
Bloomberg suggests a foldable “iPhone” is likely “years away” or “may never finally be introduced”, with Apple focusing mainly on updates to its flagship iPhones and iPads coming in 2021 .
The iPhone 13 models planned for this year are not expected to show major design changes, as the 2020 iPhone models marked a significant overhaul of technology and design. Apple engineers believe that the 2021 iPhones are an “S” version of the 2020 models. Apple has used the “S” nomenclature in the past in the years when the “iPhone” models had several minor updates.
Although the design changes are expected to be minor, Apple is testing an on-screen Touch ID fingerprint reader that would mark a major change to the biometric systems Apple has used for flagship devices since the launch of the iPhone X.
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The fingerprint sensor would have been made available in addition to Face ID and would be convenient for iPhone users who cannot unlock their iPhones with facial recognition when using masks.
Apple has also considered removing the charging port for some “iPhone” models in favor of wireless charging, and this seems to be something that is still on the table for 2021 iPhones at the moment.
BloombergToday’s report also confirms that AirTags expects to launch in 2021 and reiterates rumors of the iPad Pro suggesting that Apple is working on an updated version with a mini-LED display and a faster processor.