Gurman: Apple is actively exploring a flip-style foldable iPhone

The last few months have been filled with rumors for the iPhone Fold, which is expected to launch later this year, but Apple is reportedly already exploring options for a more compact entry. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Cupertino is already exploring options to bring a “square, clamshell-like iPhone” to the market. Its development is reportedly under consideration inside Apple labs.

Gurman did not provide any additional details or a potential launch date for the iPhone Flip and also mentioned that there is no guarantee it will actually come to the market. Apple will first have to test the market with its book-style iPhone Fold and see how consumers respond.

A flip-style folding iPhone has been rumored to be in development for a few years now, with previous reports suggesting that Apple has at least two prototype versions. Cupertino was even expected to launch a flip-style fold before a book-style one.

Foldable iPhone DIY project from 2022 (Tech Aesthetics)

This DIY video from over three years ago showcases what a flip-style folding iPhone prototype could look like.

Source (paywall)