Hey folks, I've been curious if it's actually possible to take phones like iPhones or older Samsung models and convert them into foldable devices. I'm looking for some technical insights here! For context, the iPhone 12 mini has a motherboard that's about 50-55mm long and 25-30mm wide, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, when folded, measures 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm. So, could the iPhone's board physically fit into a foldable phone chassis? And if it does fit, are there other technical hurdles we need to consider?
Assuming we could solve the fitting problem, I'm really interested in the display side of things. iPhones typically only recognize their own displays and come with certain hardware and software constraints around resolution, refresh rate, and EDID. Is there a way to connect a Samsung foldable display to an iPhone and make it function correctly? Would using a Bridge IC or FPGA help in translating the necessary signals?
Another thought I had: could we possibly switch out the display controller to something that the iPhone would recognize? However, I'm wondering if that's even feasible. Could soldering an iPhone display controller onto a foldable screen actually work, and would the display and touch input function without tweaking iOS? Plus, what risks could that pose to both the motherboard and display?
From a business perspective, is there a company out there interested in developing this, or is it all just an idea meant for experimental labs? I also considered using a Raspberry Pi as a translator for iPhone signals, but I know there could be limitations with high-speed MIPI DSI, EDID, and touch functionality.
I'm also pondering about the Samsung J5 Pro 2017: would it be feasible to turn that into a flip phone as well? Can its board and display controller handle a foldable display? Or is it just not practical unless we employ an FPGA and bridge circuit?
Overall, I feel like while fitting the board might be possible, the real challenge lies in making sure the display and touch work seamlessly. It seems to me that using a Bridge IC or FPGA might be the only viable path! So, have any of you dealt with MIPI DSI, Bridge ICs, or FPGAs for this type of project? Has anyone actually managed to convert an iPhone or another phone into a foldable device? I'm all ears for any ideas or practical solutions you can share!
3 Answers
I mean, in theory, if you can fold a sheet of paper 11 times, maybe you can bend a phone at least twice without it exploding? Just kidding, but seriously, I think most phones are thicker than what’s feasible for folding without damage!
Haha, exactly! It's all fun and games until you can’t turn it back on!
Yeah, in theory, you could pull this off with enough time, money, and the right resources. However, there have been attempts, like a failed IndieGoGo campaign that tried to make something like this. It was costly and faced lots of technical issues. It might be easier to create a display that can adapt to various phone designs rather than trying to fit a phone's internals into a foldable form.
Definitely! Having a universal design sounds way more scalable than trying to modify existing phones.
3D printing for custom shells could actually be the future of this idea!
You can technically bend any phone, but that's likely going to ruin it instantly! It's more about how to keep it functional after the fold. The question we should ask is, why would you want to do this in the first place?
Right? It's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. If it works, great, but the effort seems massive!
For the novelty, I guess! But practicality? That's another story altogether.
Yeah, but if bending was an option, we’d all have fun foldable devices by now! Too risky for my taste.