Rumors about a foldable iPhone have been circulating for some time. Now there are reports that two prototypes have passed an important test.
Rumors and patents surrounding foldable iPhones are nothing new. The topic continues to spark heated debate. According to a large portion of our community, Apple might not be producing the device. However, there are also fans who have expressed interest in such an iPhone. Be that as it may, the Taiwanese website Economic Daily News claims to have learned that two prototypes have allegedly passed an important test. A hinge system for foldable iPhones developed by Apple was apparently tested on two prototypes.
Apple is testing two different designs
Testing was recently completed at a Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, China. The first foldable iPhone tested is said to be a dual-screen model, which is likely the same dual-display prototype hinted at by Jon Prosser in June 2020. Prosser explained at the time that this model uses two separate display panels connected by a hinge. Although the iPhone prototype has two separate displays connected by a hinge, Prosser claimed that the panels look "pretty continuous and seamless." It's also worth noting that Apple has patented a device with two separate displays that can be connected to form a single foldable device with a hinge. The second prototype tested is said to bear a resemblance to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip or Lenovo's Moto RAZR. This model reportedly uses a flexible Samsung OLED display. It remains unclear whether the two devices tested had different hinge systems.
Foldable iPhone must pass 100,000 opening and closing tests
However, they are both said to have passed the endurance test. However, the test devices are said to have a very stripped-down interior and are therefore not fully functional. This is because the main purpose of the tests was to assess the durability of the hinge system developed by Apple. According to the report, Apple will decide which of the two devices will continue development with based on the test results. The final decision does not seem to have been made yet. The sources are said to be the same ones who provide Jon Prosser with information - according to the Taiwanese news publication. Interestingly, Prosser also recently reported on the two prototypes in a video. The description is at least consistent with today's article. Observers currently assume that Apple will present a foldable iPhone in late 2022 or 2023. The prerequisite for this is that the folding mechanism must pass a total of 100,000 opening and closing tests. Only then, according to Apple, would it be ready for the market - according to a source in November 2020. AirPods Pro on special offer at Amazon – available now. (Photo by artmagination / Bigstockphoto)
