Ming-Chi Kuo never stops, and his network of informants among Apple partners must be impressive. The analyst has just announced on Twitter that the Cupertino giant is currently exploring the possibility of using color electronic ink screens for a product under development.
According to him, this technology would be particularly suitable for offering a second low-power screen in a folding device, the main screen of which would not be visible when closed.
Apple is testing E Ink’s Electronic Paper Display (EPD) for future foldable device’s cover screen & tablet-like applications. The color EPD has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices’ must-have cover/second screen thanks to its excellent power-saving.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 17, 2022
Obviously, for the time being, Apple does not market such products. These screens could therefore very well take place in a folding iPad, which was rumored some time ago… or in MacBooks. The PC industry has tried this kind of approach in the past.
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However, the most likely would seem that Apple adopts this technology for an upcoming folding iPhone. He too has already been the subject of rumours. In this kind of form factor, the e-ink display would come into its own. It would be there as an external display, which could be used to show notifications, time, etc.
If this technological choice is maintained, Apple would choose a different path from folding Android smartphones. They generally use rather small OLED screens, this is the case of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, which has a 1.9 inch panel.
Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple could also lead other manufacturers behind it on this path, if it decides to adopt it.