Apple has taken a cautious approach to foldable smartphones, choosing to spend years refining the technology rather than rushing to introduce a device in a market already occupied by competitors.
With pre-orders for its first foldable iPhone, the Duo, opening today, the company's long development process has come into focus. Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, has offered insight into why the company waited so long, pointing to its commitment to product quality and the challenge of making every component meet its expectations.
According to Ternus, Apple's interest in foldable devices goes back to 2011. Instead of entering the category as soon as the technology became commercially available, the company continued working towards a design that could deliver the experience customers expect from an iPhone.
The decision reflects a familiar Apple philosophy: introducing a new product category is not enough. The company wants the finished device to feel polished, reliable and ready for everyday use.
Apple's Foldable Phone Journey Began in 2011
Apple's exploration of foldable technology reportedly began long before foldable smartphones became a mainstream product category.
In 2011, Ternus and five other engineers filed a patent application related to foldable electronic devices. At the time, flexible display technology was still developing, and questions remained about how components such as screens, batteries and circuit boards could work together in a device designed to bend repeatedly.
Ternus believed that flexible OLED displays would eventually make such products possible. However, turning that possibility into a commercially viable smartphone required more than simply developing a screen that could fold.
Apple needed to consider how the display would perform over time, how the hinge would operate, and how the device could maintain the durability and usability associated with the iPhone.
The company's extended development timeline suggests that these engineering challenges played a central role in its decision to delay entering the market.
Why Apple Was Not Ready to Follow Other Foldable Phones
Several smartphone manufacturers introduced foldable devices while Apple continued its development work. Although these products helped establish the category, early designs also drew attention to problems involving durability, display creases and overall build quality.
Ternus reportedly described some early foldable devices as poorly made, particularly in relation to their fragility and the visible line running across the folding display.
For Apple, these issues represented more than cosmetic shortcomings. A foldable smartphone must withstand repeated opening and closing while providing a display that remains comfortable to use for reading, watching videos, gaming and everyday tasks.
A prominent crease can affect the appearance of the screen, while weaknesses in the hinge or display layers can raise questions about long-term reliability.
Apple's approach was to continue refining the underlying technology instead of treating early market entry as the primary objective. The company aimed to develop a foldable device that would meet its expectations for the iPhone experience rather than simply replicate existing designs.
John Ternus's Philosophy: Wait Until the Design Is Right
Ternus's comments also offer a glimpse into how Apple approaches product development.
Richard Dinh, Apple's vice president of product design, reportedly recalled working on an early surface design that looked too similar to those used by other foldable smartphones. Ternus responded with the principle that the right design would become apparent when the team achieved it.
That approach gave the engineering and design teams room to continue experimenting rather than settling for a solution that was merely functional.
Apple's work reportedly focused on several areas, including display texture, hinge construction and the materials positioned beneath the folding screen. Each element contributes to the overall experience, from the appearance of the display to the way the device feels when opened and closed.
The goal was not simply to make a smartphone fold. It was to create a product in which the technology feels integrated rather than like a compromise.
The Technology Behind Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo
The iPhone Duo's reported design incorporates several engineering developments intended to address common concerns associated with foldable smartphones.
1. A Display Designed to Minimise the Crease
One of the most noticeable challenges with foldable phones is the crease that can form where the display bends.
Apple's reported use of a specialised nanotexture aims to improve the display's appearance and viewing experience. The company has also focused on reducing the visibility of the fold, addressing one of the design issues that has attracted attention across the foldable market.
A crease that is difficult to notice could make the device feel closer to a conventional iPhone when the screen is fully opened. However, the actual effectiveness of this design should be assessed through independent reviews and long-term use.
2. A Precision-Engineered Hinge
The hinge is another critical component because it determines how smoothly the device opens and closes while helping protect the display.
According to the supplied report, Apple's hinge contains more than 100 precision components. Such a complex mechanism requires careful engineering to balance movement, structural stability and durability.
The hinge's performance will be particularly important over time, as repeated folding places mechanical demands on the device. Its long-term reliability will help determine whether Apple's extended development process delivers a meaningful advantage.
3. A Replaceable Inner Layer
The reported design also includes a replaceable inner layer, which could be relevant to the device's maintenance and repairability.
Foldable displays involve multiple layers of materials, each of which can affect flexibility, protection and overall screen performance. Designing these layers requires balancing thinness with the need to withstand everyday use.
More information will be needed to establish exactly how the replaceable layer works, what repairs it supports and how it affects the cost of servicing the device.
Apple's Strategy Is About More Than Being First
Apple's decision to take its time reflects a broader distinction between entering a market early and entering it with a differentiated product.
The company has often approached emerging product categories by focusing on the overall user experience, including hardware design, software integration and ease of use. With the Duo, the challenge is to make the folding mechanism, display and software feel like parts of one coherent product.
That strategy could help Apple appeal to customers who have been interested in foldable phones but remain concerned about their durability or display quality.
However, a long development period does not automatically guarantee success. The Duo will still need to justify its price, deliver dependable performance and offer practical advantages over conventional smartphones.
Competition is also likely to remain intense as manufacturers continue improving their own folding displays and hinge designs.
Will Apple's Foldable iPhone Set a New Standard?
Apple's entry into the foldable market could increase attention on the category, particularly among consumers who prefer the company's ecosystem but have been waiting for a foldable iPhone.
The device's success will depend on several factors: how effectively it minimises the display crease, how durable its hinge proves to be, how well its software uses the larger screen and whether customers consider the price worthwhile.
Independent testing will be essential in evaluating these claims. Initial impressions can reveal design strengths, but long-term use is necessary to judge durability, hinge performance and display quality.
If the Duo delivers on its reported design goals, it could strengthen Apple's position in the premium smartphone market. If the practical improvements prove limited, however, the lengthy development process may not be enough to convince customers to switch.
Conclusion
Apple's decision to spend years developing its first foldable iPhone reflects the company's emphasis on engineering, materials and product refinement. According to John Ternus, the aim was to wait until the technology could deliver an experience that met the company's expectations rather than launch a device simply to compete with existing foldables.
The reported display improvements, precision-engineered hinge and replaceable inner layer illustrate the areas Apple has prioritised during development.
Ultimately, the iPhone Duo's significance will depend on how well these design decisions translate into everyday use. Apple's long wait may give it an opportunity to offer a different approach to foldable smartphones, but customer experience and independent testing will determine whether that approach sets a new benchmark.
Sources By Agencies