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A Supply Chain report claims that Apple has begun the 'Request for Information' phase regarding Multiple Foldable Device Projects

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In Q1-24, the top five smartphone OEMs in China were in a tight race with the first to the fifth spot being separated by a mere 1.7% of each other. The difference in China likely came down to the Chinese OEMs selling foldables and Apple not.   

Now there's good news. According to a new supply chain report, Apple is dividing the foldable project between two panel companies. Samsung Display is likely to develop a product panel similar to a foldable phone in the 7-8" range, while LG Display is likely developing a foldable IT product pane – rumored to being a foldable iPad mini-like device.

According to industry sources, Apple was found to have recently sent a request for information (RFI) related to the development of foldable products to Samsung Display and LG Display. RFI is a document exchanged at a stage before the Request for Quotation (RFQ) sent by the set manufacturer to the parts manufacturer after the product specifications have been decided. At the RFI stage, they inquire about technology-related information necessary for product development.

Although the specifications have not been decided, Apple is working on different foldable product projects with two domestic panel companies. Samsung Display was in charge of a product close to a foldable phone, and LG Display was in charge of a foldable IT product project.

last December Samsung Display carried out an organizational reorganization based on focusing its capabilities on responding to Apple's foldable products and establishing an independent microdisplay team for extended reality (XR) devices.

It has been reported that Apple has not yet decided on the form of this product between a book-type fold and a clamshell-type flip." Counterpoint Statistics published in late May indicated that Book-Style foldables are now outselling clamshell designs with Huawei's book-style foldable leading the pack.  

(Click on Chart to Enlarge) 2 Book-style vs clamshell

The report by The Elec further noted that "LG Display is working on a project for a foldable IT product with a screen in the 10+ inch range when unfolded is presumed to be a foldable iPad model.

In order for Apple to launch a foldable product, the wrinkle problem in the central area of ​​the foldable panel cover window, Ultrathin Glass (UTG), must be resolved. The hinge mechanism that supports UTG and AP must also be supported." This is something that Patently Apple covered back on May 17th.

The release of a foldable smartphone for 2027 would mark the 20th anniversary of the launch of Apple's first iPhone and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the first organic light-emitting diode (OLED) iPhone.

While Foldable smartphones will only account for approximately 1.7% of the global market in 2024, foldables are more important in China where all smartphone OEMs sell them as premium smartphones, Apple's stronghold. Foldable smartphone sales will take off once prices fall to at least where iPhone Pro price points are today or lower.   

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