Apple testing E-Ink screen for second display on its foldable iPhones

Apple is planning to use an E-Ink display on the cover of its foldable screen devices that are expected to launch sometime around 2024-25. 

According to a Twitter post by renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone maker is testing E-Ink colour Electronic Paper Display (EPD) for foldable device’s cover screen & tablet-like applications.  

“The colour EPD has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices’ must-have cover/second screen thanks to its excellent power-saving,” Kuo added. 

Use of the E-Ink display as a secondary screen in phones is not new. They have been seen on conventional smartphones like the Yotaphone.  

Their application in foldable phones makes more sense as most of them have a secondary screen on the outside panel that is meant for basic tasks. By using an E-Ink display instead of an OLED or LCD screen, OEMs can cut down battery consumption significantly, providing users with more backup when they are using the larger foldable screen.  

E-Ink displays are primarily used in ebook readers as they are easier to read, do not reflect and have higher contrast. Though as compared to phone screens they are slow, they have improved a lot over the last few years and respond much faster to touch input.  

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been working on an iPhone with a foldable screen along with a foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid device with a 20-inch foldable display. 

Some believe Apple is working on two models — an iPhone Fold and the iPhone Flip, just like Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Flip devices.   

In April 2021, the US Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent for a smartphone with curved sidewall touch display, according to Patently Apple. 

Despite their premium price tag and doubts about durability, the market for foldable smartphones has been growing.  

According to International Data Corporation (IDC) predictions, global shipment of foldable smartphones will grow to 13.9 million units by 2025 up from 4 million in 2021.