Foldable iPhone expected to help drive adoption of book-type devices: report

A book-type foldable design refers to a smartphone that folds inward like a book, with the screen on the inside of the fold. Apple's rumored iPhone Fold will feature this design with a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer cover screen. This contrasts with flip-style foldables that fold like a compact mirror, with the screen on the outside. The book-type design allows for a larger usable screen when unfolded while maintaining a more compact form factor when closed.

Apple's entry into the foldable market with a book-type design is expected to drive broader adoption because Apple typically influences consumer preferences and market trends through its brand reputation and innovation. The iPhone Fold is rumored to address key limitations in current foldables, including a nearly invisible crease through a laser-drilled metal support plate technology and a high-resolution 24-megapixel under-display camera that surpasses current Android implementations. Additionally, Apple's integration of Touch ID instead of Face ID and its computational photography capabilities could make the device more appealing to mainstream consumers, potentially encouraging others to adopt book-type foldables rather than alternative designs.