Apple CEO John Ternus has criticized early foldable smartphones from rival manufacturers, describing them as “kind of cheap and crappy.” In a recent interview with TIME, Ternus explained why Apple spent years developing its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, while competitors introduced similar devices much earlier.
Samsung launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019, but Apple waited until September 2026 to enter the market. According to Ternus, early foldables suffered from durability concerns, visible screen creases, and display materials that failed to meet Apple’s quality standards.
Apple Started Exploring Foldable Technology in 2011
Interestingly, Apple’s foldable ambitions date back to 2011, when Ternus and five other engineers filed a patent application exploring flexible displays, batteries, and circuit boards.
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Ternus believed flexible OLED technology would eventually make foldable devices practical, although early implementations left him unimpressed.
“The other examples in the world felt kind of cheap and crappy,” Ternus said.
As we previously covered, Apple wanted to address durability, design, and display quality before introducing its own foldable smartphone.
How Apple Improved the iPhone Duo’s Folding Display
Apple’s vice president of product design, Richard Dinh, revealed that Ternus encouraged engineers to continue refining the display rather than accept materials similar to those used by competitors.
The team eventually developed a custom nano-textured polymer surface designed to improve touch quality and reduce the visibility of the display crease. Apple also developed a precision hinge containing more than 100 components.
The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch folding OLED display, a 5.4-inch cover screen, and a starting price of $1,999.
Pre-orders opened on October 16, with general availability scheduled for October 23. Independent durability testing will help determine whether Apple’s engineering improvements justify the long development period and premium price.
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