Close to the screen supply chain of digital bloggers @ Shana digital said that Apple has two folding screen models currently under development, respectively, the industry’s popular horizontal folding and vertical flip type models, no surprise that the supply chain has matured technology.
He revealed that the horizontal folding version of the large screen size of 8.9 inches, equivalent to the size of two Pro Max combined, the final production version may also be larger; vertical folding models with a 7-inch screen, and no secondary screen after folding. In terms of color scheme, he expects Apple to determine the final commercial version only in May next year.
For reference, Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 currently uses an 8.02-inch internal screen, Honor MagicV uses a 7.9-inch internal screen, Huawei Mate Xs 2 7.8 inches after unfolding, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 internal screen is 7.6 inches, OPPO Find N 7.1 inches, Huawei P50 Pocket 6.9 inches, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 6.9 inches Galaxy Z Flip4 is 6.7 inches.
The Tianfeng International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also previously said that Apple is testing a foldable display device around 9 inches, similar to the iPhone and iPad and a hybrid, but he thinks it’s unlikely that the long-rumored iPhone folding screen will be launched before 2025, but only as a prediction.
Kuo believes that Apple’s development of foldable products will initially focus on mid-sized devices, then devices with larger displays, before finally expanding to smaller devices like the iPhone.
TheLec previously reported that Apple is working with LG to develop a foldable OLED display panel with ultra-thin cover glass for future Apple tablets and laptops.
Although Apple has not yet launched a foldable smartphone, its competitors Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi have already launched such devices in the market, from the exposure of a large number of patents can be seen, Apple must also be developing similar devices, but now is not ready to launch.
Recently, Apple published a patent, which mentions the “self-repair” technology for foldable smartphones and other devices.
The patent describes methods for both minimizing damage to foldable devices and repairing damage when it occurs. The patent shows that the device has a hinge that allows bending on a bending axis. In order to bend around the bending axis without damage, the display may contain a display overlay having a flexible portion.
Apple says the technology can be used for everything from “computing devices like laptops” to cell phones and even “smaller devices like watch devices, pendant devices, wearables or other types of miniature devices.
