Apple’s Foldable Ambitions Inspired by OPPO Find N5
Apple is said to have taken a keen interest in a Chinese competitor’s foldable smartphone to inform the development of its own foldable device, the iPhone Fold. According to a recent leak from Weibo tipster Fixed-focus digital cameras, Apple purchased the OPPO Find N5, a foldable phone known for its remarkably thin form factor and smooth crease-free inner display, and disassembled it to better understand its design. This move reportedly provided Apple with a solid foundation for creating a crease-free inner screen for its upcoming foldable iPhone.
Key Features and Challenges of the iPhone Fold
The iPhone Fold is expected to feature an ultra-thin flexible glass (UFG) display that aims to eliminate the visible crease commonly found in foldable smartphones. While Samsung showcased a similar crease-free design at CES 2026, Apple’s development process appears to have been heavily influenced by the OPPO Find N5’s display technology. Despite producing several prototype samples, Apple reportedly struggled to match the Find N5’s smooth inner screen, which is a testament to the high standard set by OPPO’s device.
Interestingly, the iPhone Fold prototypes are rumoured to omit Face ID, instead opting for a side-mounted Touch ID sensor due to design constraints imposed by the device’s thinner frame. This suggests Apple is prioritising a sleek and compact design, even if it means altering some of its usual biometric features.
Context and Industry Trends
It is common practice for smartphone manufacturers to study competitors’ designs when developing new devices, especially in the foldable segment where technology and engineering challenges remain significant. Apple, entering the foldable market later than Samsung and others, seems to be leveraging insights from existing models like the OPPO Find N5 to refine its approach. The Find N5, equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, is notable not just for its internal specs but for its slim 4.2mm thickness when unfolded and a minimized crease that sets a benchmark in foldable design.
Meanwhile, Samsung, often credited with pioneering foldable smartphones, is reportedly planning to adopt a passport-style design similar to the iPhone Fold later this year. This cross-pollination of design ideas highlights the competitive and rapidly evolving nature of foldable smartphone development.
What to Expect Next
Apple’s efforts to perfect a crease-free foldable display indicate a strong commitment to delivering a premium and differentiated product in the foldable market. As the iPhone Fold continues to take shape, it will be interesting to see how Apple balances innovative display technology with biometric security features. Fans and industry watchers should keep an eye on further leaks and announcements that reveal more about Apple’s foldable strategy and how it compares to existing devices like the OPPO Find N5 and Samsung’s foldables.