Apple's search for a perfect iPhone Fold screen led to changes in the display tech it wanted to use, but it still wants to incorporate its own modem design.

The flexible nature of the iPhone Fold makes it an already complex device to design. However, while it comes up with some plans for its hardware, its also had to dial things back a bit.

The inner display of the iPhone Fold is intended to bend in the middle, with the risk of creasing over time. There are ways to lessen the appearance of creases in this area, and according to Bloomberg's "Power On" newsletter on Sunday, one of them involved a big change in the technology it used.

An alleged recent change to the screen technology was to move from on-cell sensors to an in-cell screen. This refers to the positioning of the array of touch sensors within the display sandwich.

In an on-cell display, the sensors are located just below the front glass, above the color filter substrate and polarizer. An in-cell design brings the sensor layer deeper into the screen sandwich, below the color filter substrate but above the polarizer.

On-cell offers advantages, including better touch sensitivity and an easier manufacturing process.

However, Apple apparently discovered that it can create air gaps that make creases more pronounced. As Apple wants to minimize the appearance of creases, it's moved to the in-cell design.

Switching to an in-cell design will bring the display in line with Apple's other iPhones, which already use the technology.

Own modem

Another big tech decision by Apple is the modem, which is used to communicate with mobile phone networks. After some initial success with its first attempt, the C1 modem, it's intending to use the next generation along.

For the iPhone Fold, this will consist of the C2 modem. The updated version will apparently be much closer to the performance of cellular chips from Qualcomm.

That C2 modem will also apparently be used in the iPhone 18 Pro line.

In February, Apple SVP of hardware technologies Johny Srouji said the C1 was the first step towards a "platform for generations." Promising to improve the technology in each generation, Srouji says the modem will help Apple "truly differentiate" the connectivity of its products.

Writing in the newsletter, Mark Gurman adds that the iPhone Fold, arriving in 2026, is being tested in black and white colorways, will lack a SIM card slot, and will use Touch ID instead of Face ID.

Gurman is well-regarded as a leaker due to his accuracy of reporting. While there are occasional missteps in his claims, he tends to be correct a lot of the time.