"Apple Explores Foldable iPhone Designs Amid Rising Competition"

Apple has reportedly created prototypes for a clamshell foldable iPhone that fold horizontally, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series, but they are not part of Apple's mass production plans for 2024 or 2025. The company is also working on a foldable iPad, but neither device is expected to be released before 2026 or 2027. Apple is interested in making foldable iPhones with displays on the outside, but engineers are facing design challenges. The company is looking to replicate Samsung's success with clamshell foldables and capitalize on the market, but it still needs to establish a supply chain and overcome engineering hurdles before launching a foldable iPhone.