14 DAY TRIAL // It’s no longer a secret that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone – after all, the company doesn’t even have another option given this seems to be the direction the market is slowly heading to.
However, the Cupertino-based tech giant has remained completely tight-lipped on everything related to its highly anticipated foldable iPhone, yet it now looks like the company is exploring several fronts in order to make the device happen.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the company has recently started testing e-ink displays, which could eventually be used on foldable devices.
In theory, e-ink displays, despite coming with limitations in terms of functionality, allow for substantial power saving. They can be used as the “front” displays to show essential data, such as notifications and status icons.
Of course, this isn’t by any means a confirmation that Apple plans to use e-ink on the foldable iPhone, but it’s very clear that the company is exploring its options on this front.
Possibly coming in 2025
However, Kuo says that the energy-efficient side of e-ink displays is exactly what caught Apple’s attention and the reason the company is currently exploring this tech for future foldable devices.
“Apple is testing E Ink's Electronic Paper Display (EPD) for future foldable device's cover screen & tablet-like applications. The color EPD has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices' must-have cover/second screen thanks to its excellent power-saving,” Kuo explained.
People familiar with the matter previously said that Apple could come up with a foldable iPhone at some point around 2025, but of course, the timing can be different depending on how the project advances. It’s believed the company is specifically waiting for the market to be mature enough for foldables, which means Apple isn’t by any means in a hurry to launch a foldable iPhone.