According to a new report from Digitimes, Apple has commissioned LG Display to design the screen for the foldable iPhone Flip. While it is good to see that production is underway, it suggests that it is not as far along as we would like.

If the iPhone Flip display is indeed still in the design stage, then there is still a lot of work to be done. In other words, the iPhone Flip is not likely to be released as soon as some people are hoping. [It has a tablet display inspired by the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and a clamshell screen like the Galaxy Z Flip flip phone. Flip has passed one major milestone.

But if Apple had just commissioned the screen design, that's clearly not the case; there's no telling how long it would take LG to design the screen. At that point, they would have to go through various stages of testing, prototyping, and patenting. And the process would have to be repeated with the phone itself.

It also means that rumors and leaks about screen details cannot be completely trusted. After all, no one can know the final details if they have not yet been designed.

We had previously heard that the iPhone Flip might arrive in 2022, but recent reports suggest that it won't be available until 2023. Sadly, this new report seems to confirm that 2022 is not the year for the foldable iPhone; depending on how far along LG's design process is, a 2023 launch may be too optimistic.

As for the iPhone Flip, we still don't know much more than rumors and speculation that Apple is developing a foldable phone. And it is not certain whether the public really wants a foldable phone. Moreover, we have already seen several companies, including LG and Samsung, express interest in rollable phones.

Given that a rollable screen can provide a magnified screen without the risk of breakage or creasing, one can see why it might be more attractive than the foldable we have already seen.

Of course, foldable phones have their own advantages, notably the compactness of the clamshell design. If anyone could highlight these for the mass market, it would be Apple.