iPhone 17 Launch Looming, But Is Foldable iPhone Coming Soon Too?

iPhone 17 launch is on the horizon, but stealing a lot of the thunder away currently are various reports and rumors about a foldable iPhone. While camera, battery, chip, iOS and other aspects will be under focus, the most attention is being given to the critical foldable display. While Samsung has set the standard for foldable smartphones, fans are expecting Apple to do much better with the foldable iPhone. And, while iPhone 17 launch is widely expected during the Fall period, the release timeline for the foldable iPhone has it surprisingly breaking cover anytime between 2025 to 2027.

iPhone 17 launch is on the horizon, but stealing a lot of the thunder away currently are various reports and rumors about a foldable iPhone. While camera, battery, chip, iOS and other aspects will be under focus, the most attention is being given to the critical foldable display. While Samsung has set the standard for foldable smartphones, fans are expecting Apple to do much better with the foldable iPhone. And, while iPhone 17 launch is widely expected during the Fall period, the release timeline for the foldable iPhone has it surprisingly breaking cover anytime between 2025 to 2027.

Needless to say, Apple is upping its game when it comes to picking display suppliers. What the tech giant is looking to do is maintain extremely high standards including on size, curvature and even thickness, MacRumors reports. At the same time it has to ensure crease prevention at all cost, not to mention push durability beyond the capabilities visible in the current crop of foldables. 

It has been reported that some of the domestic suppliers have come remarkably close to Apple’s exacting standards. To build the first foldable display, the company is on the hunt for components that are not only aligned with these specifications but do even better.

The supplier selection process is expected to take place by late February to early April. But for now, Apple hasn’t announced its final decision and is mum on where the process has actually reached.

The report doesn’t say which device the display will go into, but it does strongly imply it will be associated with the highly anticipated foldable iPhone that’s been rumoured for years. 

The foldable iPhone is reportedly still in the planning stages, with a possible launch window between late 2025 and 2027, as indicated by industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Other reports suggest a "clamshell-style" foldable iPhone is set for release in 2026.

Apple is also believed to be working on even larger foldable devices on other than foldable iPhones. Apple is likely working on a 19-inch foldable device, intended to be used as a laptop, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

This new device would disrupt the way portable computing is used. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also mentioned that Apple is working on a large foldable iPad which could launch in 2028. 

The goal of this device is to get rid of any visible creases and provide a single-piece experience, something like a single piece of glass. Something that is not available currently.

While Apple will be looking to score over Samsung with its foldable iPhones, the real intent is to ensure a perfect experience for users and that too without compromising on quality of hardware. And ultimately, powerful foldable devices can become the rage in future because of the mobility aspect.