RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Rumors that Apple is planning a foldable iPhone picked up more credibility Thursday with a report that Apple has reportedly ordered foldable display samples from Samsung.
Samsung offers a foldable smartphone of its own and is a major supplier to Apple already, MacRumors reports.
The latest talk emerged Thursday when a “leaker” posted information on Chinese social media giant Weibo and pointed out by MacRumors, which it says is the largest Apple-related newssite.
A “large number” of foldable displays for use as samples is said to have been ordered.
“Samsung will apparently supply the units to Apple for the duration of one year,” MacRumors said, noting Samsung is a “key supplier” to Apple, providing OLED screens for iPhones. “The leaker also seemed to stress the immediacy of this development, perhaps implying that the order is about to commence.”
MacRumors Editor-in-Chief Eric Slivka tells WRAL TechWire that leaker, known as “Ice Universe,” is “a relatively regular and reliable source, primarily for Android-related topics, but occasionally shares information about Apple.”
The talk of a foldable iPhone isn’t new but MacRumors drew up a mockup of what such a phone might look like. (The image accompanies this post.)
The Samsung Galaxy Fold
So is this new report an indication a foldable device is really coming?
“We don’t have a great feel for how reliable this exact rumor is, as it’s fairly short on detail and is very similar to another rumor from a year and a half ago,” Slivka said.
But MacRumors in its story point out “the repeated insinuation of Samsung’s involvement and orders being placed by Apple offers a more concrete suggestion that work on a foldable iPhone is continuing at pace.”
Apple has scheduled an event for product updates next Tuesday, Sept. 15.
