Apple to Unveil 8-Inch Foldable iPhone in 2023?

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] There are projections that Apple will unveil an 8-inch foldable iPhone in 2023.

On the 3rd (local time), U.S. IT media outlets GSM Arena and MacRumors reported, citing renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, that an 8-inch foldable iPhone is expected to be released in 2023.

According to Kuo's report, the upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to feature an 8-inch QHD+ flexible display. Kuo predicted that Samsung Display will be the sole supplier of the display, and Samsung Electronics Foundry will exclusively supply the display driver IC (DDI). He also anticipated that TPK's silver nanowire touch technology, which has several advantages over Samsung Display's Y-Octa technology, will be applied.

Kuo further stated that according to Apple's production plans, approximately 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones will be produced in 2023. He expects foldable phones to become a major lineup for leading smartphone manufacturers in the future and foresees that the replacement cycle of upcoming high-end models will be led by foldable phones.

Previously, there were also projections that Apple's foldable iPhone would support the Apple Pencil (stylus pen). According to market research firm Omdia and others, the Apple Pencil will enable screen touch and handwriting similar to the S Pen equipped on Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note series. The price is estimated to be around $1,500.

Meanwhile, Kuo predicted that various smartphone companies besides Apple will soon enter the foldable phone market. He mentioned that China's Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi are expected to launch products by the end of this year or early next year, with the total market size anticipated to reach 17 million units.