Apple is reportedly looking into building its inventory for its first foldable iPhone launch next year. This rumour is coming out of China, with the leaker indicating they received information from sources in the Apple supply chain.
Leaker Fixed Focus Digital wrote on Weibo that Apple is stockpiling components for its foldable, or iPhone Fold (this isn’t the phone’s official name). These components include foldable OLED displays, titanium frames, and complex hinges. Additionally, the company is entering its pre-production phase, where it’s collecting parts before entering mass production. Further, stockpiling components is helpful for a smooth launch.
Rumours suggest the iPhone Fold will sport a book-style folding mechanism similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold. The device is purported to use a 5.5-inch outer display and will look similar to a regular iPhone screen. When you unfold the smartphone, it will reveal a 7.8-inch iPad-style screen. The inner display is expected to be crease-free and some sources claim it will offer an under-sceen camera. The outer display will sport a punch-hole camera, and Apple will reportedly add Touch ID integrated into the side button, instead of using Face ID. Further, the device will sport dual-lens cameras on the rear.
Analyst Jeff Pu says the handset would sport a mix of titanium and aluminum in the frame, with the device sporting liquid metal hinges for further durability. Moreover, the iPhone Fold is rumoured to be 4.5mm thin when opened, making it even thinner than the iPhone Air, but still slightly thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Source: Fixed Focus Digital, Via: MacRumors
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