Multiple reports have pointed to Apple launching its first foldable iPhone as early as next year, but fresh information suggests the company has not yet solved one of the category’s biggest design problems.
According to well known tipster Digital Chat Station, Apple is still encountering “technical challenges” while developing a folding display that appears completely flat when opened.
The claim suggests Apple has not yet achieved the crease free finish it is reportedly aiming for, even as development continues behind the scenes.
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Crease free displays remain a major challenge
Current foldable smartphones still show visible creases along the hinge area, including recent devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.
While these creases rarely affect usability, they remain a visible compromise that impacts the overall look and feel of foldable devices.
Apple engineers are believed to be particularly focused on eliminating this issue, viewing it as a requirement rather than an acceptable trade off.
Apple continues to experiment with new materials
The same report claims Apple is testing multiple variants of ultra thin flexible glass in an attempt to overcome the problem.
This suggests the company has not locked down a final display supplier or panel structure for the device.
Despite these challenges, the tipster maintains that Apple is still targeting a launch window around September, indicating confidence that a solution may still be found in time.
A busy roadmap for Apple’s iPhone lineup
Next year could mark a significant shift in Apple’s smartphone strategy.
Leaks suggest Apple may stagger its launches, with the iPhone 18 Pro arriving first and the standard iPhone 18 potentially delayed until early 2027.
Adding a foldable iPhone into that mix would represent Apple’s most dramatic iPhone expansion in years, possibly including features like an under display camera and a fully uninterrupted screen.
Uncertainty remains around final design
Despite the growing number of leaks, Apple has not confirmed any details about a foldable iPhone, including its name.
Whether the device will truly arrive crease free remains uncertain, especially given the technical difficulty of the task.
For now, the rumors suggest Apple is still pushing for a cleaner foldable display than its rivals, even if the final result is not yet guaranteed.
