Apple has varied the look of the iPhone a handful of times since its debut, increasing the thickness, size, and color options on a semi-regular basis---and even making more drastic alterations such as the elimination of the iconic Home button, starting with 2017's iPhone X.
But one of the company's reported future moves could put all of those other changes to shame, courtesy of the world's first iPhone with a foldable screen, Bloomberg reports.
Apple's Folding iPhone Plans
According to the report, Apple has so far gotten to the prototype phase, with foldable screens developed for internal testing. Apple has supposedly discussed a number of different possible screens sizes---including a model that unfolds to a similar 6.7-inch size to the current iPhone 12 Pro Max, but in a smaller housing. Most current folding phones are between 6-8 inches when unfolded.
However, Apple has yet to create full handset prototypes, and currently has yet to make definite plans regarding a product launch. In fact, the report suggests that a foldable iPhone could be "years away" from release, if it is launched at all.
The source said that Apple's folding screens have largely invisible hinges, with the electronics situated behind the display. This is different to the approach taken by some other companies, such as Microsoft with its Surface Duo, which boasts two distinct screen panels separated by a hinge.
Don't Expect Big Changes in 2021
Don't expect this kind of seismic change with this year's iPhones, though. According to the Bloomberg report, the 2021 crop of iPhones will look similar to last year's models---although they might include an in-screen fingerprint reader.
This could be handy as an alternative to Face ID in a world in which many people haven't been able to consistently use the facial recognition technology for much of the last year, due to the requirement to wear masks due to coronavirus. Face ID would not disappear, however, but could rather feature as an alternative.
Apple is also reportedly considering ditching the charging port for some of its iPhones, thereby establishing wireless charging as the only way to juice up the iPhone. Apple first introduced wireless charging for the iPhone with 2017's iPhone X and iPhone 8 generation.
Going wireless has been a big focus of Apple's in recent years---although the company notably had a public failure with its wireless charging ambitions when it was forced to cancel its AirPower charging pad because it was unable to get it working to Apple's standards.
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