Reliable analyst reveals Apple's big foldable iPhone plans

We’ve heard for months now that Apple is hard at work on a foldable iPhone, following in the footsteps of Samsung, HUAWEI, and Xiaomi. Now, a veteran Apple observer has dished out a few more details regarding Apple’s device.

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted to investors (h/t: MacRumors) that Apple will “likely launch a foldable ‌iPhone‌ with an 8-inch QHD+ flexible OLED display in 2023.” The analyst adds that Apple will ship between 15 and 20 million foldable iPhones in 2023.

By comparison, Korea’s Yonhap News previously reported that Samsung was planning to produce 800,000 Galaxy Z Fold 2 units in 2020. Granted, Samsung is an early adopter of foldable phones and launched the Z Fold 2 in the second half of 2020, but Kuo’s shipment estimate suggests that Apple could be going all-in on the tech.

The analyst also believes Apple will adopt a so-called “silver nanowire touch solution” for its foldable iPhone. This solution is believed to be superior to other touch solutions because it supports multiple folds, potentially opening the door for foldable phones that fold twice or more. Kuo claims that Apple is already using the silver nanowire solution in its HomePod’s touch interface, allowing it to gain experience with the tech.

There were no firm details regarding the actual form factor save for the 8-inch screen size. This size is broadly in line with in-folding screens like the HUAWEI Mate X2 and Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold, perhaps giving us a hint of Apple’s intentions.

This isn’t the only Apple-related foldable news in recent times, as the company applied for a patent for a self-healing foldable screen last year. Foldable screens are far more susceptible to scratches compared to traditional phone displays, so the ability to heal scratches and the like would give users some peace of mind.

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