Recent leaks regarding the anticipated foldable iPhone have predominantly concentrated on the dimensions of its dual displays, as well as Apple’s ambitions to engineer a crease-free foldable panel.
In addition, speculation has emerged that this model will forego support for Face ID and feature merely two rear cameras.
A fresh revelation from China regarding the so-called iPhone Fold provides supplementary insights about its design, which, if verified, would necessitate a paradigm shift for veteran iPhone users.
Tasks such as unlocking the device, capturing screenshots, muting, and taking pictures may require users to adopt new behaviors.
Renowned leaker Instant Digital (as reported by MacRumors) unveiled details regarding the foldable iPhone’s configuration, encompassing the positioning of buttons and cameras, as well as the internal wiring, which aligns with speculations insinuating that this iteration may harbor a larger battery compared to some of its Android competitors.
Traditionally, non-foldable iPhones have maintained a consistent layout for buttons and cameras over the years. The left side typically houses the mute switch (or the Action button in recent models) along with the volume buttons, while the right side features the Side button and Camera Control (beginning from the iPhone 16 models).
On the back, standard iPhones present a camera array situated in the top left, typically comprising two or three lenses. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air have elongated camera bars extending towards the opposite side, although the lenses remain grouped on the left.
Rumored Design of iPhone Fold
According to Instant Digital, the right side of the iPhone Fold will still accommodate the Side button (integrated with Touch ID) alongside the Camera Control, referred to as the “AI button.”
Notably, there will be no buttons on the left side, as the volume controls are anticipated to relocate to the top of the device, mirroring the design of the iPad Mini.
The report omits any mention of the Action button, a feature introduced in 2023 with the iPhone 15 Pro series before being extended to subsequent models.
On the reverse side, a dual-lens camera is expected to manifest in a horizontal module akin to that found on the iPhone Air.
The two lenses would be aligned on the left of the rear panel, with the camera module allegedly designed in black, complemented by a contrasting panel color. Initial insights suggest that the iPhone Fold may come in two shades, although white is reportedly the only confirmed hue thus far.
Even in the absence of these revelations, one could surmise several of these design transformations. The left side must remain button-free due to the presence of the hinge, which necessitates internal space, ultimately positioning the rear camera module on the left. This configuration is validated by the existing foldable Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Gesture Adaptations for iPhone
According to Instant Digital, Apple consciously avoided internal wiring conflicts by relocating the volume buttons to the top section.
The motherboard is reportedly situated on the right side of the screen, while the remainder of the space is designated for an unprecedented battery, potentially the largest in iPhone history; the leaker noted that the internal architecture of the iPhone Fold could “shock the limits” of industry standards.
Consumers transitioning from a conventional iPhone to this foldable incarnation will need to recalibrate their unlocking methods, resorting to Touch ID instead of Face ID. The same adjustment applies to application authentications.
The process of taking screenshots—currently achieved through the Volume Up and Side buttons—requires a rethinking, as these buttons will be positioned in closer proximity than they are in current models.
The prospect of fumbles on a fragile foldable display is a legitimate concern. Users who typically rely on volume keys for photography may also need to adapt to their new locations, though the Camera Control button is expected to persist.
Other gestures, which involve pressing iPhone buttons simultaneously, will also undergo transformations. This notably includes powering down the device (by pressing and holding the Volume and Side buttons), as well as triggering a force restart and entering Recovery Mode via similar combinations.
Muting the foldable device may also witness procedural changes. Whether the new model will incorporate an Action button capable of pairing with the mute function remains ambiguous, although an alternative mute option may be available within the Control Center.
Source link: Bgr.com.
