Apple suppliers have started testing foldable iPhone prototypes
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Samsung and Motorola have been selling foldable smartphones to the public for quite some time, but Apple is still in the development phase. However, according to one report, Apple’s foldable prototype testing has now started.
Economic Daily News claims Apple recently sent out prototype foldable iPhone units to assembly partner Foxconn with the aim of releasing the final version of the device as soon as September 2022, presumably alongside the iPhone 14 series.
The focus of testing, per sources familiar with the matter, is the foldable display. Apple is evaluating the use of either OLED or micro-LED tech, as well as their respective assembly methods.
Before heading into mass productions, laptops like the MacBook Pro need to be opened and closed between 20,000 and 30,000 times. With the foldable iPhone, Apple has asked Foxconn to evaluate everything over 100,000 opening and closing tests.
Apple has relied on Samsung for recent iPhone OLED panels and it appears the South Korean company has been chosen to supply foldable iPhone panels too. Whether there will be other suppliers too remains to be seen.
The overall design of the product wasn’t described in today’s report. However, tipster Jon Prosser previously revealed that early prototypes offer a Microsoft Surface Duo-like design with separate displays and a slim forehead for Face ID.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which assembly partner is evaluating the foldable iPhone prototypes for Apple?
Which assembly partner is evaluating the foldable iPhone prototypes for Apple?
Apple has sent prototype foldable iPhone units to its assembly partner Foxconn. Foxconn's task includes evaluating the device over 100,000 opening and closing tests, a significant increase compared to other Apple products.
Q.What is the primary focus of the prototype testing for the foldable iPhone?
What is the primary focus of the prototype testing for the foldable iPhone?
The main focus of the testing is the foldable display technology. Apple is evaluating whether to use OLED or micro-LED tech, along with their respective assembly methods, before moving to mass production.
Q.Which company is expected to supply the foldable panels for Apple's new device?
Which company is expected to supply the foldable panels for Apple's new device?
Samsung, which has supplied recent iPhone OLED panels, appears to have been chosen to supply the foldable iPhone panels. The article does not specify if there will be other suppliers.
Q.When might Apple potentially release the final version of the foldable iPhone?
When might Apple potentially release the final version of the foldable iPhone?
According to Economic Daily News, Apple aims to release the final version of the device as soon as September 2022. This could potentially be alongside the iPhone 14 series, as suggested by the report.
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