If you're waiting for a foldable Apple iPhone, it could take a fair while yet

There has been a lot of recent talk about Apple working on its own foldable devices, but it seems that the company has suffered a setback. New reports claim that it has suspended plans due to an issue with bendable displays.

An influential tech blogger from China claims that Apple has had to press pause on its foldable iPhone tests due to problems with the OLED panels – they don't meet Apple's strict standards.

"The project has been temporarily suspended because displays failed the screen tests," wrote Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo.

"Apple's requirements are too high and require folding screens to pass display [standards], which is really difficult."

He goes on to suggest that the panels that have been used so far are manufactured by Samsung, with one even breaking within "a few days".

Samsung, of course, has no such issues with its own foldable phones.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 have both been commended for their durability. However, it also doesn't come as a surprise to learn that Apple isn't at that level yet. After all, Samsung has been releasing foldables for more than half a decade.

It could be that it's not the OLED panels at fault, but the hinge design.

Either way, a foldable iPhone now seems a long way off. We doubt we'll see a foldable iPad mini any time sooner, neither.

That was always more likely to appear first anyway, with rumours pointing to a larger form factor for Apple's first folding device.

In the meantime, there are plenty of excellent folding phone rivals on the market today, with several more on the horizon. Mobile World Congress starts this coming weekend and we expect a couple of new devices, at least.

Tecno plans for a Galaxy Z Fold 5 rival, for example, in the shape of the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2. We'll bring you all the news from the show as it happens.