Patently Apple has been covering future foldable device patents from Apple for years. We've also covered many supply chain reports on the subject, like the one we just posted in  June  titled " A Supply Chain report claims that Apple has begun the 'Request for Information' phase regarding Multiple Foldable Device Projects." While we're able to delve into some of the concepts of future foldable devices in patents, we never get a sense of when such devices could come to market.

Of late, Patently Apple has been highlighting the fact that while foldable smartphones are on a very small part of the overall smartphone market, in China, it's become a factor that has pushed Apple down into fifth spot as all major Chinese OEMs now have foldables – flip and book-style. Premium Foldable smartphones helped China's smartphone vendors in Mainland China to overtake Apple in Q1-24. From second place to fifth place the margin was in tenths of a percentage point, enough for foldables to have made the difference, at least for calendar Q1-24. 

The rumors now continue. The Information points to Apple's multiple device projects that we referenced back in June. The report leans towards Apple likely to launch a flip-style smartphone in 2026. This is a very tough market to crack considering that Xiaomi just released their new flip-style phone last week at roughly US$800.  

The Information's report states that "Apple has reportedly created an internal code name for the fold phone project — V68 — which indicates the manufacturing process is moving along. Apple is reportedly planning to create foldable phones in two different sizes.

Typical iPhone models usually take about 24 months to manufacture from start to finish, but a foldable iPhone might take longer to complete, sources told The Information."

The rumor corroborates Tuesday’s report from the DigiTimes, which reveals similar details about Apple’s folding phone plans.

In the end, the rumor really isn't all that new from The Information considering that we posted a report back in February titled " A new Rumor claims that a Clamshell iPhone is being Considered by Apple in the next few years," stemming from an earlier report by The Information.

Below is an Apple patent figure of a foldable smartphone in a flip-style that dates back to October 2018.

UPDATE JULY 24, 2024: 

A new report by The Elec was published today titled "Apple Signs Nondisclosure Agreement on Foldable Project with Korean Parts Industry." The image of the report entry is presented below. The report is behind a paywall.