The anticipated launch dates for Apple's foldable iPhone and integrated Face ID technology have been deferred once more, according to a market research analyst. Apple is expected to introduce iPhones with foldable screens and Face ID hidden beneath the display, yet these features may not emerge for several more years.
Reports have previously suggested that the iPhone 16 Pro would adopt a Face ID sensor hidden beneath its screen, eliminating the necessity for a notch or Dynamic Island. Furthermore, Apple is rumored to be developing two folding iPhone prototypes, assuming the project hasn't been scrapped.
At the 2024 Korea Display Conference, Omdia's senior market researcher, Kang Min-soo, informed attendees that Apple's foldable devices and under-screen Face ID technology are anticipated to arrive later than previously thought. He mentioned that the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to include a foldable model, but the fully notch-less iPhone 18 Pro could be the first to forgo the Dynamic Island entirely.
Kang Min-soo projects a 7 to 8-inch foldable iPhone could be released by 2026. He also mentioned the upcoming release of the iPhone SE4 featuring low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) TFT OLED technology. He emphasized that if the iPhone 17 series adopts LTPO TFT technology across all models, Apple will need to further distinguish its iPhone offerings.
According to Min-soo, Apple had initially planned to introduce the under-display Face ID feature in the 2024 iPhone 16 but now anticipates this innovation will be postponed until 2027. This delay is contrary to what other sources have speculated.
Min-soo believes the introduction of a foldable iPhone will significantly set Apple apart from competitors, despite them already having folding devices on the market. He suggests that a foldable iPhone with a screen size between 7 and 8 inches could rival the iPad mini in terms of functionality, potentially offering either synergy or a distinct alternative to the smaller iPad.
While Omdia researcher Kang Min-soo and the Korea Display Conference might not have a notable history in reporting Apple news, The Elec, which reported these insights, is recognized for its robust supply chain connections, despite occasionally missing the mark on Apple's plans.
One-Sentence Summary: Apple's launch of foldable iPhones and under-screen Face ID technology is reportedly delayed again, with predictions now setting these innovations years away, aiming to differentiate Apple's lineup and compete with iPad mini functionalities.
