Apple iPhone V: Functional foldable iPhone presented in clamshell form factor

Last week, Samsung executives disclosed that they expected Apple to enter the foldable smartphone market by 2024, with current supply chain capacities allegedly just enough to fulfil Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 shipments. In the meantime, an account on Bilibili has created a homemade foldable iPhone, dubbed the iPhone V, from the guts of an iPhone and several foldable smartphones.

Specifically, the project utilised Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr parts to create a foldable iPhone that looks like a Frankenstein Galaxy Z Flip4. Unsurprisingly, the result is a little rough around the edges, with the 3D-printed housing barely containing the foldable display. Similarly, the unit is thicker than current foldables and has more empty spaces inside than a retail unit would.

Still, the project shows how a clamshell iPhone could function in theory. Presumably, Apple would add a cover display of sorts though, if it were to bring a clamshell foldable to market. Likewise, we suspect it would optimise iOS for a foldable display, as it recently has for the dual punch-hole panels of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen in what capacity Apple adopts foldable display technology. As it stands, analysts expect to release a foldable iPad first, although there have been rumours about a MacBook with a 20-inch foldable display, too.

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