Apple testing clamshell design for its foldable iPhone, says leakster

Leakster Jon Presser says Samsung is supplying OLED panels to Apple for the foldable iPhones.

Apple is working on foldable iPhones. (Unsplash)

Rumours of Apple working on a foldable iPhone have been doing the rounds for quite some time. Throughout the year, we have come across multiple leaks around the elusive foldable iPhone. Now, prolific leakster Jon Presser has more to add the rumours around the device.

In a new video, Presser citing sources said Apple was not only working one type of foldable phone. He added there was a prototype clamshell folding iPhone, which is very similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip. He revealed that shells of the device were under testing. According to the leakster, the company is currently focusing on the hinge of the device for durability.

“This clamshell foldable iPhone will actually feature a foldable display. I am told it will feature a folding OLED display supplied by Samsung...I am told we will not get both versions of a foldable iPhone. Like Samsung has Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. No. It will be just this (clamshell) or other (book-style folding), at least at first,” he said in the video. You can watch Presser's video below.

As said earlier, Apple has long been rumoured to be working on a foldable iPhone. Last near-credible report came in September which said Apple had ordered samples from Samsung to work on the foldable. The report states that Samsung Display is hoping to dominate the market by increasing its production capacity to 10 million units a year. Rumours suggest Apple will introduce a foldable iPhone in 2021 or 2022.

Foldable phones are still at their nascent stages with the only handful of companies offering devices. So far, the likes of Samsung (Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold), Huawei (Mate X) and Motorola (Moto Razr) have commercially launched foldable phones. These companies are also trying to improve the design as well as specifications on what is widely considered as luxury device. Apple's entry, however, could make the space more competitive.