Apple's iPhone to make a big move? Media reports claim that they are developing at least two horizontally foldable iPhones.

According to insiders, Apple is reportedly developing at least two horizontally folding prototypes, similar to clamshells. Apple has recently contacted a manufacturer in Asia to seek components related to foldable phones of two different sizes.

The foldable Apple is still in the early stages of development and has not been included in the company's mass production plans for 2024 or 2025. If the products do not meet Apple's standards, they may be canceled. If Apple eventually launches a foldable device, it will be one of the biggest hardware design changes in its history.

An Apple spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on the foldable phone.

Compared to traditional smartphones, foldable phones can be more compact, portable, and can take photos without needing to be propped up, just by unfolding at a 90-degree angle. Since Samsung Electronics released the Galaxy Fold in 2019, foldable phones have become increasingly common, with many brands subsequently launching their own foldable devices. However, due to high retail costs and being more prone to damage compared to traditional smartphones, these devices still cater to a relatively niche market.

In fact, based on conversations with media and several former Apple employees, as well as Apple's patent applications, Apple's exploration of foldable devices has been ongoing for over a decade, but the interest from its leadership has been inconsistent. Apple CEO Tim Cook first began inquiring about the possibility of a foldable Apple with the company's designers and engineers in 2018. That same year, he provided positive feedback on a 7-inch foldable display shown to Apple's designers and engineers.

However, there have been obstacles to the launch of a foldable Apple. Apple's engineers have been working to overcome the technical challenges of building such a device in recent years, and the designers have yet to come up with compelling features that would attract consumers, especially considering the higher price compared to non-foldable phones.

Apple's industrial design team hopes to develop a foldable Apple with the screen facing outward when the phone is closed. However, the hardware engineers at Apple have encountered difficulties in the design because such devices are prone to damage when dropped. The industrial design team also hopes to make the foldable Apple half the thickness of the current models, so that the phone is not too thick when closed. However, the limitations of battery size and display components make it challenging for the hardware engineers to meet these requirements.

Around 2020, Apple paused its work on the foldable Apple and shifted its focus to an inward folding iPad Mini-sized device. This device has an approximately 8-inch screen and can be thicker than the foldable Apple since it is not meant to be carried in pockets and does not require the rigorous drop testing that Apple devices need. The engineers working on the foldable iPad are trying to eliminate the crease that forms in the center of the display after repeated folding, and they hope to design a hinge that allows the display to lie completely flat, without any small bumps or depressions in the middle, as these issues would make it difficult for iPad users to use the Apple Pencil.Apple's first foldable product is expected to be an iPad, according to former Apple employees. This move will help test consumers' interest in foldable Apple devices. Apple has been collaborating with LG and Samsung Electronics in South Korea, both of which have been involved in manufacturing prototype displays for foldable iPads in recent years.

There have been some negative comments about foldable phones. Apart from the high price, users of foldable phones from Samsung Electronics, Motorola, Google, and others have complained that the screens and hinges may become damaged or deformed over time. These companies have subsequently taken measures to address these issues. For example, Samsung Electronics has improved the quality of its foldable devices. Google reduced the price of its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, by over 20% within six months of its launch, bringing it down to $1,400.

Despite the complaints, high-end consumers are still enthusiastic about purchasing foldable phones. Last week, "the most knowledgeable Apple analyst," Ming-Chi Kuo, stated that Apple's estimated shipments this year are expected to decrease by 15% YoY due to structural challenges, including the rise of AI-powered phones and foldable phones. Foldable phones are gradually becoming the preferred choice for high-end users when upgrading their devices.

Apple's move to develop a foldable Apple device may be a targeted response to these trends.