The Foldable Frontier and the Quest for Durability

While much of the tech world is currently fixated on the anticipated release of the iPhone 18 family later this year, supply chain reports suggest Apple is simultaneously laying the groundwork for two significantly more radical shifts in its lineup. The first, and perhaps most immediate, is the long-rumored entry into the foldable market. According to a recent report from the Korean industry portal The Elec, Apple is deep in the testing phase for its “iPhone Fold,” specifically focusing on the durability and tactile feel of the display.

Unlike Samsung, which typically utilizes Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) films for the outer protective layer of its Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series, Apple appears to be taking a more premium, albeit expensive, route. The company is reportedly comparing PET against Clear Polyimide (CPI). While PET is standard, CPI offers superior surface hardness and scratch resistance, potentially solving the fragility issues that have plagued early foldable devices. Apple’s goal seems to be a device that not only folds but distinguishes itself through superior build quality and a screen that feels robust to the touch.

Industry sources point to Kolon Industry as the likely supplier for this high-grade CPI film, noting that the company invested in production capabilities early on to meet future demand. The ultra-thin glass (UTG) sitting beneath this polymer layer is expected to come from Chinese manufacturer Lens Technology, which will also handle the lamination process. If these supply chain whispers hold true, the device could boast a nearly crease-free 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen. Surprisingly, rumors also suggest the inclusion of an A20 chip, Touch ID, and a new C2 modem, with a launch window projected alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max later this year.

The 20th Anniversary Gamble

Looking further down the timeline, Apple’s roadmap takes a turn toward the nostalgic and the futuristic. Rumors are piling up that the company intends to skip the iPhone 19 moniker entirely, aiming to release an “iPhone 20 Pro” in 2027 to celebrate the product’s 20th anniversary. This device is tipped to be the realization of the “all-screen” dream, featuring a “quad-curved” display with zero bezels and under-display camera technology, effectively killing the Dynamic Island.

However, despite the prospect of a completely seamless slab of glass, consumer enthusiasm appears surprisingly tepid. In a recent poll of nearly 1,000 tech enthusiasts, only 34.33 percent expressed readiness for a reimagined iPhone without screen cutouts. A significant portion of the base, roughly 36.7 percent, remains unsure, while nearly 29 percent claimed to be unimpressed by the concept.

Is Apple Misreading the Room?

This ambivalence is jarring for a potential redesign that would arguably be the biggest shift since the iPhone X. One explanation for the lack of hype is that the Android ecosystem has already normalized slim bezels and hole-punch cameras, making Apple’s potential move feel less revolutionary than it would have years ago. Furthermore, there is a segment of the user base that may simply prefer the utility of current designs or fear that a bezel-less “quad-curved” screen could negatively impact handling and durability.

With approximately 20 months to go before this purported 2027 launch, Apple has a significant window to build excitement and convince the skeptics. The company needs to move that 34 percent approval rating closer to 70 percent to justify such a major engineering pivot. Whether the hesitation stems from a fear of change or simply a lack of wow factor, Apple’s dual strategy—pushing a rugged, high-end foldable alongside a futuristic, bezel-free slab—indicates they are ready to shake up a market that has become increasingly predictable.