Rumours about Apple’s first foldable iPhone have been rife for some time now and at long last a prototype is finally here.
However, it’s not actually made by Apple. The foldable iPhone has been created by the people behind Chinese YouTube channel Technological Aesthetics.
The prototype has been named iPhone V and folds down the middle. To build the model, engineers combined Motorola's Razr’s folding mechanism with an iPhone X.
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Watch Technological Aesthetics’ prototype video below:
iPhone V still has Apple’s iconic logo on the back and took thousands of dollars and more than 200 days to build.
Na Yan at Technological Aesthetics explained: “It took more than 200 days of effort, and at great cost. In the days to come we want to continue to improve the foldable iPhone.”
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The Technological Aesthetics team rearranged the iPhone X model’s internal components so that the new prototype could be folded and borrowed Motorola’s folding axis structure.
However, the engineers were quick to admit that the iPhone V is a ‘rudimentary prototype’ and issues with the model quickly became clear.
Not only do gaps appear when the device is folded, but creases start to form under the phone’s screen soon after it starts being used.
What’s more, closing the phone fully irreversibly damages the screen and the battery barely lasts a day.
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That aside, people were seriously impressed by Technological Aesthetics’ prototype, with many saying so beneath its YouTube video.
One person wrote: “Incredible work and your endurance finally paid off for the world to see.”
Another added: “Love it! Apple should be taking notes on your work for sure.”
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“Bro, you guys should be proud of what you have achieved. I think when Apple sees this, they should approach and offer you guys a unique opportunity,” commented a third YouTuber.
Apple isn’t expected to release a foldable phone until at least 2025, according to Mashable.
The outlet reports that the company fuelled rumours by placing a ‘big’ order for OLED panels.
OLEDs are used to create digital displays and can fold both inwards and outwards.
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But apparently, foldable MacBooks are higher on Apple’s priority list, and we're likely to see those hit the market first.
Earlier this year, a Display Supply Chain report pointed out that Apple has kicked off discussions with suppliers for 20-inch foldable displays - hinting that foldable laptops could be on the horizon.
Bearing the above info in mind, Mashable noted that we could expect the first foldable MacBook somewhere between 2026 and 2027.
Topics: Technology, Apple