New Delhi: Apple is preparing to release its first foldable iPhone, which is due to release next year. A new report by Supply Chain indicates that the production line that would produce foldable displays is almost ready. The new development is a significant milestone in the long-anticipated move by Apple to venture into the foldable smartphone business.
ET News report indicates that Samsung, the display partner of Apple, has been constructing a dedicated OLED production line for the iPhone Fold. Construction of the facility was launched in the second half of last year and is in the final stages. This plant will be able to manufacture many more screens than Apple would require at the start.
Years in the making
Apple has not been in a rush to make it into the foldable phone market and instead has taken its time to perfect the technology. Early display samples were said to have not been up to the satisfaction of the company, as they have visible screen creases and dust resistance problems. The project did not receive any momentum until Samsung came to the rescue and presented a screen that could meet the quality of Apple.
Whereas Apple is projected to sell between 6 to 8 million panels in the first year, the new production line will have the capacity of making up to 15 million panels a year. This action indicates that Apple is ready to meet more demand than anticipated.
What to expect from iPhone Fold
Specifications of the prototype indicate that the phone will have a 7.58-inch foldable screen, two 48 MP rear cameras, and a titanium body. The iPhone Fold is likely to retail at a premium price point, although the final specifications are subject to change, and would fetch a premium price, making it a high-end device in the Apple product lineup.