Foldable iPhone concept
Apple is preparing a massive overhaul for its upcoming foldable iPhone by bringing iPad-style features to the device for the first time.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, people familiar with the matter say the new hardware will launch this fall and aims to fix common complaints found in rival foldable phones.
Gurman is being told that the internal display will be roughly the size of an iPad mini but with a wider aspect ratio than current competitors. This design choice is intended to make the device better for watching videos and easier for developers to adapt their existing apps. Sources say Apple is also revamping its core software to include sidebars along the left edge of the screen, mimicking the look and feel of iPad apps.
While the device will run a modified version of iOS rather than iPadOS, it will finally allow users to run two apps side by side. Gurman’s sources indicate that Apple chose a wide internal screen specifically to avoid the narrow, cramped feel of other foldables on the market.
People familiar with the development process say Apple spent years trying to solve the issue of the visible crease and overall durability. The company is reportedly using a new display technology that significantly reduces the crease, though it doesn’t eliminate it entirely.
The exterior of the phone will also see a major shift. Gurman is being told the front screen will feature a small hole-punch cutout for the camera, replacing the familiar pill-shaped notch. This change is possible because Apple is reportedly ditching Face ID on this model. Instead, the company will integrate a Touch ID fingerprint sensor into the side power button, a move required due to its thin display panels.
Apple is positioning the foldable at the very top of its lineup with an expected price tag of around $2,000 US ($2,718 CAD). Despite having only two rear cameras, the company believes the productivity boost from the large internal screen will be the main draw for buyers.
I can’t even imagine what this will cost in Canada. Even with the current exchange rate and taxes, you’re looking at over $3,000 CAD for the foldable iPhone, if rumoured pricing is true. Who is going to pay that?
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