While Samsung and Huawei are said to be preparing to explore additional foldable phone designs later this year, Apple has reportedly left the game due to concerns regarding the durability of foldable screens.
A new report via Naver says Apple has been experimenting with foldable phones from other brands, including Samsung.
The Cupertino giant has disassembled and examined numerous foldable phone models and performed durability tests behind closed doors.
Samsung's Galaxy foldable phones are equipped with Samsung-made displays. And if Apple would pursue foldable iPhones, its supplier would likely be Samsung Display.
With that in mind, Apple was reportedly able to see just how far Samsung's foldable display technology has come by testing the durability of commercial Galaxy foldable devices in its own labs.
Galaxy foldable phones don't pass Apple's durability tests
Unfortunately, according to this report, Apple determined that the foldable screens employed by the Galaxy Z series are not yet durable enough.
During a testing phase that involved repeated folds and unfolds for an unspecified number of days, panels made by Samsung Display gave up and broke down.
Apple has reportedly concluded that it is too early to jump on the foldable phone bandwagon. Due to these technical issues, Apple is no longer planning to develop a foldable iPhone, the report states. There's no telling when the company will consider pursuing foldable phones again.
Recent reports suggested that the first foldable iPhone might go on sale in 2026 or 2027. This may no longer be the case, according to this new rumor.
Editor's Note: Even though Galaxy Z foldable screens aren't as durable as rigid ones used by Galaxy S devices, they have become better, and they can go by.
Nevertheless, if Apple releases a foldable iPhone, it would probably break sales records in the foldable segment, and this foldable iPhone would likely be subjected to deeper scrutiny than any foldable phone before it.
For Samsung, foldable phones are somewhat of a risky but worthwhile endeavor, especially since they promote Samsung Display technologies. The company is willing to take some losses and keep customers who want to be at the cutting edge of technology content through warranty repairs when needed. Apple, on the other hand, might have more to lose if its first foldable iPhone flops.
Simply put, Apple may not want to take the same risks as Samsung, especially so soon after it released a new experimental device — the Vision Pro — to a somewhat lukewarm reception.
