After five years of research and development, Apple is actively prototyping at least two foldable iPhones, according to reports Information.

Citing people with “direct knowledge” of the project, the two iPhone prototypes reportedly folded to the width of a cover. The devices are in the early stages of development and are not part of the company’s 2024 or 2025 mass production plans, so 2026 is the earliest possible launch date. But the company has turned to at least one supplier in Asia for components related to two foldable “iPhone” models of different sizes. The report stated that foldable iPhones could still be canceled if they do not meet Apple’s standards.

Apple’s interest in offering a foldable “iPhone” is said to have fluctuated over the years. Apple CEO Tim Cook apparently first asked designers and engineers about a foldable “iPhone” in 2018. Later that year, he responded positively to the introduction of a foldable iPhone with a 7-inch screen. The company is reportedly concerned about technical issues and offers enough attractive features in the device to justify its high price compared to basic devices.

Apple’s original vision for a foldable “iPhone” called for the screen to stay out when the phone was closed, but engineers struggled to solve durability issues with this design. The industrial design team also wanted the device to be no thicker than current ‌iPhone‌ models when closed, which was not possible due to battery and display technology limitations.

The company discontinued the foldable “iPhone” around 2020 and switched to an inward-folding iPad with an 8-inch screen, roughly the size of the iPad mini. Apple allegedly concluded that the device could be thicker than a foldable “iPhone” because users wouldn’t expect to carry it in their pockets and wouldn’t need to meet the “iPhone’s” high demands for durability. A foldable ‌iPad‌ would also allow Apple to publicly test the product category on a smaller scale.

Engineers are currently working to eliminate the bend in the middle of the screen caused by repeated folding, and to design a hinge that will allow the screen to lie completely flat instead of a small bump or dimple in the middle that could obstruct the screen. Apple Pencil. The company is reportedly working with LG and Samsung on foldable “iPad” displays.