2022 is when you might get to see the foldable iPhone

Apple is reportedly testing two designs to see which one is more durable. One is without a hinge, sporting a clamshell design; the other comes with a hinge.

The devices are being tested at the Shenzhen Foxconn factory and that these shells are not the “entire device” as Apple may want to check their durability and the durability of the hinge. (Gizchina)

Apple working on a foldable iPhone has been doing rounds of the rumour mills for a while now. And according to a report in Gizchina, Apple is already testing some foldable iPhone designs and they will eventually choose a design that might make its debut by 2022. As per Jon Prosser and his sources, Apple is currently working on two foldable devices.

The first of the designs comes with two displays and a hinge between the screens, much like the Microsoft Surface Duo. The second design has a clamshell design and looks like the Galaxy Z Flip and the Moto Razr.

Reports also claim that the devices are being tested at the Shenzhen Foxconn factory and that these shells are not the “entire device” as Apple may want to check their durability and the durability of the hinge. The device with the hinge that's being tested will be equipped with a foldable OLED display which is going to come from Samsung.

Reports also have it that Apple is yet to decide which design works best.

Given that tests are still on, a foldable iPhone is not coming anytime soon. We might be looking at a September 2022 timeline for this, as reports indicate.

Economic Daily has reported that Apple is being sent samples of folding phones from Chinese suppliers like Foxconn and New Nikko and the company is currently evaluating whether they should use OLED or microOLED displays for the device. This will obviously affect the manufacturing process.

As per reports, the supply chain states that the hinges used on Apple's folding iPhone or iPad will mostly come from New Nikko, while Foxconn will have the responsibility of assembling the device. New Nikko has worked with Apple before to make hinges for the MacBooks.