Apple may finally match Samsung's Galaxy with biggest iPhone upgrade in years

13 February 2024 , 10:13

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Apple iPhone fold (Image: APPLE • GETTY)

Foldable smartphones continue to grow in popularity with Samsung's range of bendy devices currently leading the pack. The Korean technology giant already has a vast range of call makers that snap in half to make them easier to pocket. Despite other manufacturers including HONOR, Google, Motorola and OnePlus all joining this revolution, Apple has remained deafeningly quiet about a foldable iPhone but that doesn't mean it's not working on one.

According to a new report from The Information, it seems the US company is developing two new iPhones with flexible screens. This technology could offer a clamshell-style design similar to Samsung's ZFlip models. This would allow Apple fans to own a device with a huge screen that's then small enough to pop in those skinny jeans.

If that news has got you excited there's bad news as it doesn't appear that we'll see a foldable iPhone anytime soon. The Information says it's unlikely that Apple will launch these devices in 2024 or 2025 due to worries over how robust they'll be. Samsung has had issues in the past with screens breaking and foreign objects entering the device via the hinge - that's not something Apple will want to repeat. Speculation is also rife that Apple wants its foldable iPhone to be as thin as current models when closed and making things that thin is clearly taking time.

Along with looking at foldable smartphones, it's also being reported that Apple is considering the launch of an iPad that bends shut.

It's thought this device will be around the same size as the iPad mini and offer an 8-inch screen once opened. Rumours suggest that Apple engineers are currently trying to work out how to minimise the crease that blights some current foldable devices. If that problem is ironed out, we could see this tablet arrive in 2026 or 2027.

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Apple is renowned for only introducing new technology when it feels things are perfect so watch this space.

Although a foldable phone/tablet is still a little way off, UK Apple fans have got something else to look forward to.

The new Vision Pro headset should arrive on this side of the pond in the coming months and will offer a totally new way of interacting with content.

There's no word of an official UK price or launch date but it could be here before the summer.

Want to know more? Mirror Online tried the Vision Pro last year and here's what we thought of it.

Dave Snelling