According to a new report by a trusted Apple analyst, the first foldable iPhone (possibly called the iPhone Flip) will arrive in 2023. And it is expected to feature a very large 8-inch display.

Ming-Chi Kuo had previously reported a 2023 release date for the foldable iPhone, and the analyst supported this prediction in an investor memo seen by 9to5Mac. The note also stated that Apple expects to ship up to 20 million units of the new iPhone in its launch year.

According to the research note, the foldable iPhone will feature an 8-inch QHD+ flexible OLED display. Kuo also writes that such foldable devices will blur the lines between smartphones, tablets, and laptops in the future, and that Apple will be "the biggest winner in the new trend of foldable devices."

By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a 7.6-inch internal display and a 6.2-inch external panel.

The iPhone Flip allegedly is the most anticipated foldable phone at the moment, although no one knows when it will appear. Right now, we are excited for the iPhone 13 launch, which is expected sometime in September.

Beyond that, if Apple is working to challenge the best folding phone on the market, the company's efforts may not happen for at least two years. Apple seems to be betting that customers will be interested in the foldable iPhone when that time comes.

Recently, a YouGov survey revealed that Apple smartphone owners are less interested in purchasing foldable devices than owners of Samsung and LG smartphones.

Meanwhile, Samsung is gearing up to launch two more foldable phones this year. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are both slated to debut in July; the Z Fold 3 is rumored to support the S Pen and possibly feature an under-display camera.

Whether the iPhone Flip will work like the Z Flip or Z Flip remains to be seen. It could feature a compact clamshell-style design that opens upward or a tablet-sized design that opens outward.

Nevertheless, Kuo has previously reported that the display will be 7.5" to 8" when open.