IPhone Fold Forces Apple To Review Screen Technology

JAKARTA - Apple's search for the perfect iPhone Fold screen caused changes in the screen technology it wanted to use. However, the company still plans to include its own modem design.

The flexible nature of the iPhone Fold has made it a complicated device to design. However, while Apple is compiling some plans for its hardware, they should also take a little steps.

The screen in the iPhone Fold is designed to fold in the middle, with the risk of the emergence of (seen multiples) over time. There are several ways to reduce the appearance of the scene in this area, and according to Bloomberg's "Power On" newsletter on Monday, August 25, one of which involves major changes to the technology used.

The recently conjectured change is switching from screen-cell to screen-cell. This refers to the placement of the touch sensor array in the screen's "sandwich".

On the screen-cell, the sensor is located just behind the windshield, on top of the color filter and polarizer substrate. The design-cell brings a deeper sensor layer into the screen sandwich, under the color filter substrate but above the polarizer.

On-cells offer advantages, including better touch sensitivity and easier manufacturing processes.

However, Apple seems to find that on-cells can create water gaps that make the credit more visible. Because Apple wants to minimize display, they switch to design-cells.

Switching to design-cell will align the screen with another iPhone from Apple, which already uses the technology.

Self-made Modem

Apple's other major technology decision is a modem, which is used to communicate with mobile phone networks. After some initial success with its first experiment, modem C1, Apple plans to use the next generation.

For the iPhone Fold, it will consist of a C2 modem. This upgraded version will apparently be much closer to Qualcomm's mobile chip performance. The C2 modem will also apparently be used in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

In February 2025, Apple's Senior Vice President for hardware technology, Johny Srouji, said that C1 is the first step towards "platform for generations." With the promise to improve technology at each generation, Srouji said modem would help Apple " REALLY differentiate" its product connectivity.

In its newsletter, Mark Gurman added that the iPhone Fold, which will arrive in 2026, is being tested in black and white, will not have a SIM card slot, and will use Touch ID instead of Face ID.

Gurman is known as a relevant source of information (leaker) for his reporting accuracy. Although sometimes there are errors in his claims, he tends to be right a lot of time.