Apple's foldable iPhone could have these two key differentiating features
Can you guess what these two features are?
#foldableiphone #apple #foldable
By Shawn Tan -
Apple plans to differentiate its foldable iPhone from rivals with two key features.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will highlight a “nearly invisible crease” and a “much higher-quality hinge” as key features that set its foldable iPhone apart from the competition.
Gurman previously reported that Apple is working to eliminate the crease on its foldable “giant iPad,” and make the display appear like "a single, uninterrupted piece of glass."
ETNews and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also reported on the "nearly invisible crease" in the past few months. An industry official revealed to ETNews that the "wrinkles have disappeared with [the latest design]" of Samsung Display's samples for Apple. Kuo describes the foldable iPhone as "crease-free."
The crease has been identified as the biggest problem with current foldable phones. Samsung, the market leader in foldable phones, failed to eliminate the crease even after six generations of foldable phones. Chinese phone makers Huawei and OPPO fared better with the Mate Xs 2 and Find N5 phones, sporting a nearly imperceptible crease line. If Apple can address this bugbear, it can claim a technological victory over its rivals.
Gurman did not reveal more details on the hinge, but Kuo wrote in March that the hinge could be made of liquid metal to enhance its durability, improve screen flatness, and reduce crease marks. He believes the liquid metal alloy will consist of stainless steel and titanium.
It remains to be seen how Apple's liquid metal hinge will be superior to the current foldable phones that use metal materials in the hinge. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a hinge made of aerospace-grade, high-quality aluminium alloy. The OPPO Find N5's Titanium Flexion Hinge has its cover and wing plates made from Grade 5 titanium alloy. At the same time, its load-bearing parts use OPPO-customised Ultra-High Strength Steel. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6's hinge is made of Enhanced Armour Aluminium.
Apple is rumoured to launch the foldable iPhone sometime in 2027. It is estimated to cost between US$2,100 (~S$2,758) and US$2,300 (~S$3,020).
Source: Bloomberg via MacRumors
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