News about Apple’s plans of a foldable device have been swirling in recent times. While major OEMs have amped up their efforts in the foldable segment, the Cupertino-based tech giant is taking a cautious approach. Industry insiders have repeatedly tipped a 2026 launch timeframe of the first Apple foldable whereas notable analyst Kuo claimed recently that a foldable MacBook could arrive in 2027. Now, tipster Revegnus has shared a new development citing a senior Apple official on the company’s foldable plans. 

Apple’s foldable could arrive in 2026

As per a senior Apple official quoted by AlphaBiz, the company has confirmed the release of its foldable iPhone for 2026 after careful consideration. This is said to be quite later than an expected release. The official added that it will be thinner and lighter than competitors. This along with display crease marks is the main pain point for brands in the foldable segment. Apple aims to overcome this issue. 

The tipster also says that Apple could incorporate cutting-edge technologies in the first-generation foldable iPhone due to a delayed release. This will be important for the company to differentiate its offering from the competitors in the market. 

A previous report claimed that Apple has been working on its first foldable device for at least five years. Samsung pioneered the segment in 2019 and has come a long way since. The Cupertino-based tech giant usually takes its time with new launches. The company is yet to make its foray into the GenAI space that is widely expected to be unveiled later this year. 

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Recent reports have revealed Apple’s plans of a foldable iPhone. The foldable phone segment has come a long way since Samsung pioneered in 2019. The Cupertino-based tech giant has fallen behind in this competition. Now, DigiTimes reports that Apple’s first foldable offering won’t be an iPhone. 

Apple is deciding on its first foldable device and it may be something different

DigiTimes cites supply chain sources in its paywalled report. It claims that Apple has been working on its first-ever foldable device for at least five years. The publication adds that it could be a larger device instead of a foldable iPhone. This signals that Apple could take a different route in the foldable segment with a tablet or even a notebook. The report also states that the design is coming together and the phase of the project is nearing completion. The company is moving closer to mass production. 

It’s worth noting that DigiTimes only mentions about Apple’s foldable as a larger device. This leads us to speculate that it could be a part of the iPad lineup or an entirely new product category. The report reiterates that Apple has not suspended the work on foldable devices. It also confirms that past reports of pausing the development owing to screen issues and shifting the Vision Pro team to a foldable project are both true.

Apple is expected to launch its first foldable phone in 2025 or maybe later. The company usually takes time with new launches. In the case of foldable segment, it’s understandable since the hinge mechanism is at the heart of the device and the Cupertino-based tech giant won’t want to compromise on the quality. It’s too early to get excited and this report should be taken with a healthy grain of salt. 

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Last week was no exception to interesting tech news from smartphone makers to chip manufacturers. The news ranged from an innovative repair mechanism revolutionising OLED screen maintenance to Apple’s encryption standoff in the UK. Unexpected ventures like Apple’s mid-90s sneakers generated new interest, while strides in 5G connectivity, AI language models, and cutting-edge smartphone designs underscore made the headlines.

Dive into our weekly tech news summary to read more about what happened last week.

New Laser Technology Makes OLED Screen Repair More Affordable, and Fixing Green Lines in Seconds

OLED panels are popular in high-end products due to their superior image quality and high cost. However, they also have disadvantages like fragility and high cost. A laser machine has been introduced to repair green lines on OLED displays without the need for replacement parts. This machine recreates broken internal traces of the OLED panel, which carry electrical signals across the display. The repair process takes just a few seconds, and the green line disappears instantly. The first generation of this product is expected to become more common and developed in the near future.

Apple iPhone users in the UK may soon lose iMessage & FaceTime

Apple may remove two key features from its iPhones in the UK due to the UK government’s Online Safety Bill, which will regulate messaging services. The bill aims to monitor messages for CSAM and illegal content, and requires access to end-to-end encryption-based messages. Apple is opposed to this bill, which has faced criticism from WhatsApp and Signal, which have withdrawn their services. The UK government is currently in an 8-week consultation period, and tech companies like Apple are hoping to revise the bill based on feedback.

Apple Sneakers: The Most Expensive Shoes You Could Ever Own Now on Auction

Apple has produced many interesting products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods. However, the company’s history also includes rare and collector’s items like the Apple Newton, Lisa, and Pippin game console. A pair of Apple Computer Sneakers from the mid-1990s, created as promotional items for Apple employees, are now available for purchase at a price of $50,000. These sneakers feature a white upper with a rainbow Apple logo on the tongue and lateral quarter, and a faux “Air” cushioning window in the heel. Although not produced by Apple, these sneakers are highly valuable and are not aimed at standard users but at collectors.

TSMC plans to launch a more advanced version of its 3nm process

TSMC, a Taiwanese semiconductor company, is struggling with poor yields from its 3nm process node, with a 55% yield. However, the company has confirmed a more advanced process is in development, which is expected to bring performance improvements. TSMC cut the ribbons off its 3nm process in late last year, and reports suggest Apple’s upcoming A17 and M2 chips will be based on the new processor. The global semiconductor industry is valued between $500 billion and $600 billion, with a projected $1 trillion market by 2030. The market distribution is expected to be high-computing power products, mobile computing, high-growth industries, and smart wearable devices.

Huawei Mate 60 will ditch Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and feature “Spirit Island” design like iPhone 14 Pro

Huawei has faced challenges in the tech world, but they are planning to launch the Mate 60 series. The Mate 60 series is expected to feature the “Spirit Island” design, similar to the iPhone 14 Pro’s front-facing camera module. The design is similar to the Honor V20 and Pill-shaped front camera housing, but differs in interactivity. Huawei is taking Honor’s technology and adding new features similar to Apple’s. The Mate 60 series is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but some reports suggest it may be powered by Huawei’s self-developed chip due to ongoing US sanctions against the company.

Huawei has not officially announced the Mate 60 series, but leaks suggest it is in the works and could be released in the near future.

China surpasses 670 million 5G smartphone users, deploys 2.9 million base stations

China’s 5G telecommunications sector has seen significant progress, with 676 million 5G smartphone users and 3 million base stations deployed. The industry has experienced a 6.2% increase in revenue and 17.1% rise in total business volume. Over 2.12 billion mobile IoT devices are currently in use, with transformative potential in sectors like healthcare, education, and transportation. China’s “Hundred Cities, Thousand Parks” industrial internet campaign has fueled digital transformation and innovation. Major telecom firms are focusing on next-generation technologies like 5G, cloud computing, big data, and AI, which are driving the sector’s growth. China is also focusing on improving 5G network quality, expanding coverage, and reducing costs.

Meta rolls out its ChatGPT rival Llama 2 for Free

Meta has launched its own AI-based system, Llama 2, in collaboration with Microsoft. This free AI language model is open for personal and commercial use, competing with ChatGPT and Google Bard. Meta aims to be more accessible than competitors by being more transparent with data and code, reducing bias. Open source drives innovation and improves safety and security. The company is also collaborating with Qualcomm to bring on-device AI with Llama 2 models.

Users can download the models directly or through partnerships.

Red Magic 8S Pro With Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 6,000mAh Battery Debuts In Global Markets

Nubia launched the Red Magic 8S Pro and Red Magic 8S Pro+ smartphones in global markets. The Red Magic 8S Pro features a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Leading Version, 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. It comes in Midnight, Platinum, and Aurora editions, with prices starting at EUR 649/$649 in Europe and America, and EUR 779/$779 in the 16GB + 512GB configuration.

Nokia plans to start selling refurbished smartphones from H2 2023

Nokia plans to sell refurbished phones as part of its environmental sustainability strategy, according to HMD Global’s Sustainability Progress Report 2023. The company will include remanufacturing of Nokia phones for resale and a tree-planting campaign. The initiative will be tied to its Europe operations and will be interesting to see how it expands to other markets.

Upcoming Tecno POVA Will Feature A Unique LED Light Strip On The Back Panel

The Tecno POVA smartphone is expected to feature an LED light strip on the back panel around the camera module, called ‘Arc Interface’. The device will light up on receiving notifications and come in various colors. The exact name and launch timeline remain unknown.

Gloture introduces WearCool: A waist pack Air Conditioner to beat the heat outdoors

Tokyo-based Gloture has introduced WearCool, a portable air conditioner belt designed to provide relief from summer heat. The device, weighing 488 grams, uses heat-absorbing PCM and fans to deliver cool air to the upper body. The mobile app allows users to control fan speed and configurations.

With a maximum battery life of 17 hours, WearCool offers a comfortable outdoor experience.

Apple’s recent patent hints at the development of a rollable iPhone

Apple has filed a patent for a rollable display, potentially incorporating it into future products like iPhones, iPads, televisions, desktop displays, and vehicle dashboards. The patent application aims to prevent glass layer cracking by configuring the display to roll. Other companies, like LG, OPPO, and Motorola, have also explored the rollable sector.

Rumors suggest Apple is working on a foldable MacBook in 2026.

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According to a recent report by Counterpoint Research, foldable smartphones are gaining popularity in the US, with around 28% of smartphone users likely to prefer a foldable phone as their next purchase. The installed base of foldable smartphones in the US was reported to be 4.7 million in 2022, with Samsung being the most preferred brand for 46% of respondents, followed by Apple with 39% and Motorola with 6%.

Interestingly, the report revealed that 49% of respondents ranked the flip-type foldable at the top, followed by the book-type foldable. Moreover, male respondents preferred the flip-type foldable more than female respondents, while female respondents showed a stronger preference for the book-type foldable.

While foldable smartphones have performed better in controlling the shift from Android to iOS, the report does not expect foldables to become the dominant form factor anytime soon in the US. Instead, it predicts that foldables will continue to co-exist with the bar design smartphones for years to come.

Furthermore, the report highlighted that respondents with monthly incomes over $10,000 were most likely (41%) to opt for a foldable phone for their next smartphone purchase. In 2023, the global foldable smartphone market is expected to reach 22.7 million units.

Overall, it seems that foldable smartphones are gaining popularity among consumers, with a significant number of smartphone users showing a preference for the foldable form factor. As more brands enter the foldable smartphone market, it will be interesting to see how the market evolves and which brands emerge as the dominant players in the space.

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(Source)

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Apple has long been rumored to be working on a foldable smartphone. And now, the latest report has revealed some more details regarding the company’s future products and the new technology that they might feature.

Apple is testing E Ink's Electronic Paper Display (EPD) for future foldable device's cover screen & tablet-like applications. The color EPD has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices' must-have cover/second screen thanks to its excellent power-saving.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 17, 2022

The news arrives from known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who shared the information on Twitter. Kuo stated that the Cupertino based giant is planning on using color EPD panels (Electronic Paper Display) from E-Ink. This panel will apparently be used for the external secondary display in a foldable device. This also means that the primary display will feature a larger and more advanced display technology. The analyst adds that the EPD panel will be significantly more energy efficient than other forms of display technology.

Furthermore, since the color EPD is as form of e-ink technology, it could potentially also be used in a new model of Apple tablet devices as well. In other words, it has possible applications in both future foldable phones or even iPads. Based on our previous reports, the iPhone maker is planning on launching its first foldable device with a 9 inch display to sit between their smartphone and tablet offerings.

This foldable model will reportedly be releasing sometime around 2025. Kuo believes that the company’s foldable product roadmap will first focus on medium sized devices and then move onward to include gadgets with larger display panels. Then finally, it will eventually also include small devices like the iPhone as well.

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We had recently reported on Apple delaying its foldable iPhone to 2025 and shifting its focus towards a foldable MacBook. Now, new information has just surfaced regarding what appears to be a foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid.

The news was shared by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (Via 9to5Mac) in his Power On newsletter. For those unaware, the Cupertino based giant is reportedly working on a 20 inch foldable device. Furthermore, the new report suggests that the brand is also exploring a dual display format for the foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid. In other words, this is a new size for the company and could create a new category in its product portfolio. Although, the actual product is likely a long while away.

Gurman added that “The company could go with a foldable 20 inch screen attached to a physical keyboard or just have one side of the display serving as a virtual keyboard. I’m told Apple has indeed been exploring a dual screen, foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid that would take the second approach. It would trade in the physical keyboard and trackpad for a fully touchscreen base.”

As of right now, the iPhone maker could release this new product around 2026, which is the close to the release timeline for its first foldable smartphone as well. Other notable projects arriving around the same time includes its AR glasses, mixed reality headset, and even its highly anticipated Apple Car. So stick around for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

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Apple has been in the rumor mills as having a foldable phone which will debut in 2022. As a matter of fact, since Samsung and a couple of other OEMs including Motorola have released foldable models, it is natural that people look forward to Apple releasing its own. Graphic designer Technizo in conjunction with LetsGoDigital has now pieced together information from leaks and a few Apple patents to come up with a possible concept design of the long-awaited Apple flip foldable iPhone, which has been predicted to be released in 2022.

The concept design is based on the premise that the device will use a flexible display panel having an OLED screen. The product renders reflect speculations that the foldable iPhone will retain the notch from previous iPhones.

Technizo’s concept design also shows a similar camera system to the iPhone 12 Pro, although this projection looks shaky since the device is at least two years away from its potential launch. Obviously, by 2022, more advanced camera systems would have been deployed on newer iPhones. The graphic designer released a video of the concept design of the prototype flip foldable iPhone, revealing all the possible angles and sides of the device. Check out the video from down below.

The flip iPhone concept design also suggests that the smartphone will come with a small display at the rear panel although no information is available yet of the size of the display. Considering the size of the secondary display, we doubt if it will do anything other than show notifications. There have been rumors that indeed several tests had been carried out by Foxconn on the flip foldable smartphone to establish its durability.

Flip foldable smartphones hold some promise and several phone makers are pursuing active research in this area. There had been several patents popping up and these provide an inkling of the intensity of the race to overcome the several challenges and drawbacks inherent in the production especially of foldable displays.

We should also point out the resemblance of the design to that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip which was unveiled in 2019 as well as the Motorola Razr flip phone.

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