The first foldable iPhone may be a few years away, but Apple is already thinking of ways to differentiate it from its competitors. According to the latest rumors, this also applies to parts that do not fold.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo The report says that Apple may turn to e-ink technology for external displays of foldable phones in an effort to conserve energy. Most foldables use a standard OLED display for their so-called “cover screen”, which works like a normal smartphone without the need for a large screen. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 has a 6.23-inch external OLED display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate.
In contrast, Apple is reportedly looking for a colorful version of the electronic paper display used on Amazon’s Kindle for the cover display of the first foldable iPhone. Although no other foldable currently uses the technology, Kuo reports that the EPD “has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices and must have a cover / second screen for its excellent power-saving capabilities”.
Power with foldable is a concern, which uses multiple displays. The Galaxy Z Fold 3, which has a 4,400mAh battery, lasts a few hours less than the Galaxy S21 + and less than six hours from the S21 Ultra. Battery life has been a major area of focus for Apple in recent years, and it will likely want to have a similar battery life, including the new flagship wearable iPhone 13 Pro.
While the constant rumors certainly suggest that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone, we don’t know much about the device. It looks like the current crop of foldable from Samsung, Motorola and others and it is less likely to come before 2024.