Apple is quietly exploring its next move in the rapidly evolving world of foldable smartphones. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the tech giant is now focusing on a "square, clamshell-style foldable phone" – a design that could potentially serve as a smaller, more compact alternative to the highly anticipated first foldable iPhone.
While it remains unclear whether this project will ultimately come to fruition, Gurman suggests that Apple sees this clamshell-style device as an opportunity to compete directly with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola's revamped Razr foldables. The fact that the company is now putting all its eggs in one basket – exploring a smaller foldable phone – implies that they are optimistic about the success of their first foldable iPhone, which is rumored to be released later this year.
Interestingly, this news comes on the heels of previous reports suggesting Apple has experimented with both clamshell and book-like designs for its foldable devices. In one instance, the company reportedly created prototypes in a clamshell form factor, while another report hinted at the possibility of a larger foldable that opens like a book – although that project was put on hold due to development issues.
At this point, it's unclear what Apple's endgame is or when we can expect to see these new devices hit the market. However, with the tech giant already exploring a range of design options and iterating on its approach, one thing is certain: foldable smartphones are here to stay – and the competition is heating up.
While it remains unclear whether this project will ultimately come to fruition, Gurman suggests that Apple sees this clamshell-style device as an opportunity to compete directly with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola's revamped Razr foldables. The fact that the company is now putting all its eggs in one basket – exploring a smaller foldable phone – implies that they are optimistic about the success of their first foldable iPhone, which is rumored to be released later this year.
Interestingly, this news comes on the heels of previous reports suggesting Apple has experimented with both clamshell and book-like designs for its foldable devices. In one instance, the company reportedly created prototypes in a clamshell form factor, while another report hinted at the possibility of a larger foldable that opens like a book – although that project was put on hold due to development issues.
At this point, it's unclear what Apple's endgame is or when we can expect to see these new devices hit the market. However, with the tech giant already exploring a range of design options and iterating on its approach, one thing is certain: foldable smartphones are here to stay – and the competition is heating up.
? from clamshell to book-like, they're trying it all out! i feel like this new clamshell style could be a game changer, especially if it's smaller & more compact than the first foldable iPhone. it'll be interesting to see how this plays out, especially w/ samsung & motorola already releasing their own versions 
. either way, one thing's for sure - foldables are gonna keep innovating & pushing the boundaries of what we can expect from smartphones in the future 
but with the convenience of calling and messaging friends. Apple exploring clamshell-style foldable phones could be a game-changer in my book! Less clunky than those fancy first-generation flip phones and might just become a daily carry for me. And if they can get it right, I'd be all over this...
! A clamshell-style phone could be super convenient for everyday use, you know? Like, just pop it open when you need a bigger screen and close it back down when you're done 
. And I'm loving how Apple is experimenting with different designs – it shows they're committed to making this technology work for real people 
. Bring on the competition with Samsung and Motorola too! More options means better prices and better features for us consumers 
. Can't wait to see what they come up with next 
According to a report from last year, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 has been selling like hotcakes... 4.2M units in Q1 2025 alone 
Apple needs to bring the heat! 
Did you know foldable phones have a 73% adoption rate among younger users (18-24 years old)? That's some crazy momentum! 
but at the same time, I'm not sure if people will actually like having a smaller screen when you fold it out. Like, wouldn't you want more space on that extra part? 
And what about the durability of those hinges? Will they even hold up after a few uses? 
On the other hand, Apple's really smart to be focusing on this right now 'cause I mean, their first foldable iPhone is supposed to drop later this year... so if it works out, it could totally change the game 
!
. I mean, a clamshell-style foldable phone? That's a bold move, especially if they're planning on releasing a "first foldable iPhone" later this year. It sounds like they're putting all their eggs in one basket, which is either a genius or a recipe for disaster 
. It's also a good sign for consumers since it'll give us more options in the market. But at the same time, I'm a bit worried about the hype around the first foldable iPhone 
... it's going to be an interesting year for tech, that's for sure! 
. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out in the coming months – I'm hoping we get some solid information about their first foldable iPhone soon 
. on the other hand, i'm not sold on apple going all in on foldable phones just yet... maybe they should focus on making sure their first one is actually good before they start experimenting with new designs 
. but at the same time, i love how much tech giants are throwing around design options - it's like they're having a conversation about what we want 
.
they're not messing around, trying out different designs like clamshell and book-like ones 
before settling on one. and with samsung and motorola already making waves with their flip and razr styles 
it's gonna be a wild ride 