Rumors that Apple is looking into developing a foldable iPhone got more credence this week with a report that it has allegedly ordered samples of foldable displays from Samsung. Unlike its rivals Samsung and Huawei, the Cupertino-based tech titan has not yet released a foldable device. But, if the latest rumor is to go by, it looks like Apple is already doing something about it.
The latest talk surfaced on Thursday courtesy of industry insider Ice Universe. On the Chinese social media site Weibo, the tipster claimed that Apple had ordered a large number of OLED screen samples from Samsung Display as a prototype of future foldable iPhone models. The insider believed that the company is in the process of developing an iPhone with a folding display like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.
Apparently, Samsung will supply Apple the displays for one year, according to the tipster. In 2019, Samsung sent samples of its foldable displays to a wide range of manufacturers. The South Korean tech giant urged tech companies to commence the development of foldable devices. If the company succeeds, it will source the units from Samsung.
If we go by the insider's information, it implies that Apple is investing in research and development of a possible foldable iPhone. This could be the reason for the company's fresh batch or foldable display orders. Over the years, Samsung has served as Apple's major supplier of displays, and it is safe to say that the company would soon receive a lot of foldable display orders from Apple.
If the insider's information is accurate, this is the first major indicator that the Cupertino company is working on a foldable iPhone. There is a chance that it could release the foldable iPhone as early as next year. It would also mark the first major design shift for Apple's smartphone since it first introduced the iPhone in the market.
Over the past months, there have been numerous reports that Apple is working on foldable display technology. Several patents Apple filed about this particular technology were discovered earlier. There were even reports that LG could also be the company's supplier of foldable displays.
However, it is worth mentioning that, like all other tips and information, the latest from Ice Universe is not official. The tipster is a reliable source of insider information, especially with Android-related topics. As to this, it is safer to take this information with a pinch of salt.
