【Bayo】

Apple is Bayoreportedly seriously considering building a foldable smartphone, and it's likely to launch in 2023.

This is according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors), who claims that the device will have an 8-inch, QHD+, flexible OLED display.

It's worth noting that Kuo is generally bullish on foldable smartphones. His opinion, according to his later note to investors, is that "foldable devices will blur the product segmentations between smartphones, tablets, and laptops in the future," and that Apple will be the "biggest winner" in this new trend.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

An image from one of Apple's patent for a foldable phone, depicting the device's hinge. Credit: apple

Details on the technical aspects of this foldable iPhone are slim, but Kuo does say Apple will use a "silver nanowire touch solution" for the display, which should give it an advantage over other foldable phones. Kuo also claims that this technology will be necessary for devices that support multiple folds, or are rollable such as LG's rollable phone that will likely never see the light of day. Kuo says Apple is already testing the silver nanowire touch tech in the HomePod's touch interface.

Notably, Kuo claims that the development of the foldable iPhone hasn't officially kicked off yet, meaning Apple's plans could change in the future.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new M2 chip might start shipping this summer

Several major smartphone makers currently offer foldable devices, including Samsung, Motorola, and Huawei.

Apple was awarded a patent for a foldable smartphone back in 2017. This spurred numerous rumors about the company developing a foldable phone — or even two such devices — but none have materialized yet.

Related Video: Apple's 4/20 event in 10 minutes

Topics Apple

• Shopping
• Tech
• Social Good
• Digital Culture
• Science
• Deals
• Entertainment
• Games

• The Anatomy of Liberal Melancholy
• Best TV deal: Save $100 on Amazon Fire TV 4
• Best laptop deal: Save 32% on the 16
• Acer Chromebook 516 GE deal: Get it for just $450
• NYT Strands hints, answers for May 1
• Best charger deal: Get a Spigen charger for a record
• Best coffee machine deal: Save $60 on the Nespresso Vertuo Plus
• Best Android tablet deal: Save $70 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
• Patched Desktop PC: Meltdown & Spectre Benchmarked
• NYT mini crossword answers for May 16, 2025

• Stephen Colbert to host Virgin Galactic's livestream launching Richard Branson into space
• Barack Obama and Prince Harry want activists to get off their hashtags and into the real world
• Naomi Osaka's right: Don't shame people's need for mental health breaks
• Uber messes up Facebook ad by confusing Puerto Rican and Cuban flags
• Prince Harry expertly fields question on whether he's inviting Obama to his wedding
• Chrissy Teigen live tweets bizarre flight turnaround, featuring John Legend
• Naomi Osaka Barbie sells out after tennis player takes a stand for mental health
• The endless year of Trump captured in one chart
• 'The Mysterious Benedict Society' is a charming adaptation of a childhood favorite
• Best podcasts for when you're on vacation, traveling, or taking a road trip

• Fritz vs. Ruud 2025 livestream: Watch Madrid Open for free
• Best headphones deal: Take 37% off the Philips H8506 headphones
• Wordle today: The answer and hints for May 14, 2025
• NYT mini crossword answers for May 16, 2025
• NYT mini crossword answers for April 24, 2025
• 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Facebook group lawsuit dismissed
• Best laptop deal: Save 32% on the 16
• Apple finally rolls out CarPlay Ultra — with a catch
• Big-League Bluster
• Apple Maps now makes it easier to find fancy restaurants

• FreeSync 2 Explained
• 89 million Steam accounts reportedly leaked [Updated]
• Apple finally rolls out CarPlay Ultra — with a catch
• Best Peacock deal: Save over $50 on 12
• Best Hydro Flask deal: Save $10 on a 24
• Best free online courses from MIT
• Apple Maps now makes it easier to find fancy restaurants
• Coinbase confirms data breach with hackers demanding $20 million ransom
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K deal: Get 40% off
• Best headphones deal: Take 37% off the Philips H8506 headphones