Apple to launch folding-screen iPhone in 2026: more advanced technology than competitors

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office yesterday officially published an Apple patent application showing the design of Apple's future folding-screen products, including iPhones, hybrid tablets laptops, and a variety of other products.

Apple executives responded to this by saying, "After careful consideration, the company confirms that it will delay the release of the first folding-screen iPhone until 2026, which is later than internally anticipated."

However, he emphasized that "given the late release compared to competitors, the focus will be on more advanced technologies".

The executive revealed that the foldable-screen iPhone is expected to be thinner and lighter than rival models, and that internal goals also include avoiding creasing issues.

Apple has previously revealed a patent for a folding screen called "electronic device with a flexible display overlay", in which the screen is covered with a layer of "self-healing" material to minimize creases/scratches.

It's worth noting that, according to a number of industry analysts, Apple could launch a folding iPad first in 2024-2025, testing the waters at a larger size before applying it to a smaller phone.