Apple Plans Annual Experiments with Innovative Form Factors Over the Next Three Years

Apple’s evolving design philosophy remains a captivating topic, with a constant stream of leaks and insights emerging at an unprecedented pace. As we look ahead, recent revelations from the yeux1122 blog on Naver provide a detailed analysis of Apple’s anticipated design direction for its iPhones over the next three years.

Anticipated iPhone Launches: A Three-Year Outlook

2026: The Book-Like iPhone Fold

The blogger suggests that a horizontally folding iPhone could debut in 2026, boasting impressive features including:

A flexible LTPO OLED display that expands to a size comparable to the iPad mini.
An advanced under-display camera paired with a Face ID array for enhanced security.

However, reports suggest challenges lie ahead; Apple is reportedly grappling with the complexities of the new hinge mechanism and the display panels. Samsung Display has been brought in to tackle these intricate issues. Notably, Mizuho analysts have indicated that Apple has scaled back its initial production goal for these display panels, reducing it from approximately 13 million units to just 9 million.

2027: Celebrating 20 Years with a Bezel-Less iPhone

Looking to 2027, Apple is expected to reveal a special 20th-anniversary iPhone featuring:

A striking zero-bezel design, reminiscent of a “flat candy bar.”
An OLED display that elegantly wraps around all four edges, providing an immersive viewing experience.
Complete integration of under-display technology for both the camera and Face ID.
An innovative crater-shaped light diffusion layer to ensure consistent brightness from all angles.

2028: The Clamshell-Style Vertically Folding iPhone

By 2028, rumors suggest the launch of a clamshell-style, vertically folding iPhone with remarkable features, including:

An external display designed specifically for notifications.
A cutting-edge Clear Organic Cathode layer combined with a Color Filter-On-Encapsulation stack, enabling vibrant colors while ensuring screen transparency.
Subtle curves along all four edges around the hinge, making the crease nearly imperceptible.

In light of the recent downturn in demand for the iPhone Air, which has led to a significant reduction in production, Apple’s commitment to launching a foldable iPhone in 2026 seems strong. This aligns with multiple reports affirming that the tech giant plans to introduce up to six new smartphone models next year.

For further insights, you can read the full details in the original source from Wccftech.