- TouchID, no FaceID. Going backwards?
FaceID likely forces redundant sensors. (unless want to put a bar/bezel so that a single camera doesn't have to move when phone is unfolded. ). I also have doubts that a Apple SoC can actually physical attach two FaceID cameras. ( there is likely a fixed number of cameras that can be direcctly attached and the bus width for a FaceID subsystem is wider than a normal camera (more than just visible light data being transmitted from a single sensor. )
The 'fold' creates as many issues as it supposely helps/resolves if obscuring cameras lens in different modes.
TouchID will work the same since it doesn't have to be obscured.
- 5.5" screen. The smaller folded screen on these has always been a problem. This forces me into unfolding it more often, yes. But now it is thicker when doubled over. You do not think about this until you have one. I used a Galaxy Z Fold for about 3 weeks and that extra thickness does become noticeable. You end up leaving the phone in unfolded mode more often than not just to reduce hand cramping (I have small hands).
Up until 8 months ago Apple was still seling the SEv3 with a 4.7" screen. So the notion that 5.5" is 'useless' is a huge stretch. The 13 mini was 5.4" ( very incrementally smaller than 5.5" ). That is large enough to run full fledged iOS phone apps on. (not special 'widgets' because the screen is too small). Phone , Messages, Notes, Calendar , Weather apps ( i.e., basic apps) should run just fine. ( just like they do everyday for millions of folks still using SE's and minis ) .
If the front screen was bigger the battery drain would be even higher. The larger the front screen then all the more likely that the 'half' of the phone that has both front and inner screen has no battery capacity contribution at all. The other half has circiurts/chips and a battery to how in only 'half' the system. The inner screen already means have a higher screen to battery capacity ration than a normal phone. The larger front screen only pushes that further into a deficit.
- Battery life is severely compromised and you will be charging more often. You do not think about this until after your first day and it is needing a recharge at dinner. Z Fold manages great, but you still have to keep that folded screen powered to pop on at any time. You adapt, but it is something that will be obvious.
powered on? Why? iPhone and iPad wake instantly when press the 'sleep/wake/power' button. The screen can be asleep ( screen saver of all black which for a OLED screen is effectively 'off'. ). The basic control circuits powered up but actively drawing stuff on screen ... why (unless the OS is somehow defective. ) ?
- While not a problem at the moment, Continuity. If it can unfold, will it gain iPad Continuity features such as my mouse can go over to it? Then it begs the question of whether iPadOS and iPhoneOS should just merge. HOWEVER......hehehehe.....os26 is a MASSIVE HINT that they are merging.
The features matter more than the number. If iPadOS is doing a 'merge' it is more so with macOS, not iPhoneOS.
Apple's multiple app features on an iPad mini screen do not work as well as an 11-13" screen. This screen will be incrementally smaller than a mini screen ( -6% reduction; 7.8 from 8.3 ) . Even the origimal mini (2012) was bigger 7.9 (although that is pretty close, but also more than a decade ago. )
The numbers are merging for more coherent marketing across products and so that folks who pay attention have more of a clue when support will stop without having to consult a magic decoder charts.
- Rumors on potential improvements to screen folding are similar to rumors that we found a way to raise the Titanic. There will be a crease in that screen eventually. Apple's "improvements" merely delay the inevitable for a bit longer. Samsung has been working tirelessly to improve their tech, but with a launched product to learn from. Is Apple's tech any noticeable difference? I do not believe so. Apple has the safety of a nonproduct in a lab being tested. Samsung has several years of a product in the wild tested by consumers.
Reportedly Apple is buying a future Samsung screen. How are they loosing out on the experience when the folding improvements are being put into the screen that they buy from same parts supplier solving the issues over the last several years?
Apple will probably have a different hinge design but the actually screen panel is likely going to be based on the same shared core technology. Maybe the dimensions are different (but desnity , basical foundational construction are likely going to be the same).
In lab testing of a mechanical hinge isn't all that hard if put the effort in. Can make a test mule just as abusive as people would be over time. ( open-close open close 500 times is very robotic behaviour. ) Dirst , dust , and pocket lint isn't that rare to find.
- Pro and Pro Max model comparison. You have to convince Pro users to want 2 bigger screens All In One. You have to convince Pro Max users to downgrade on one screen and also want an unfolding screen. Minus one camera, also. TouchID change might also confuse and alienate. At least 1st Gen.
No. Apple is likely not looking to entirely replace the Pro line up with this at all. More likely they are looking at iPhone+iPhad owners which is far, far smaller than just iPhone owners. Narrowed down to iPHone+iPadmini users then that is even smaller.
If the price point is closer to a iPhone+ iPad Mini ( then all the more so. ). Lots of IPhone Pro users are going to be left behind just on higher price.
(the number of folks out there who have 'upstairs' , 'downstairs' , and 'another one for the road' iPads set up is quite small. )
- . Folding phones, however, even in the Android market, have not sold in the quantities necessary for full on market dominance.
Android's inhibited tablet market probably doesn't help traction. But as long as book foldables are about selling 3x the screen space then they will always be more expensive than selling just 1x the screen space. More affordable is always going to hold onto more than substantive market share in a normal market.
The foldable that has better chance at eventual dominance is the flip form factor. I doubt Apple is going to go there because they have more interest in selling something at a $2K price than a $500-600 price point. They already have $500-600 offerings.
I get some people are interested in one. But the Z Fold had a turbulent launch until a few models in when the install base was built. Z Fold is amazing; however, it does have serious drawbacks some people do not think about until they have one. Nerds such as us already know this, but it is not going to be a blowout seller.
It doesn't have to be a "blowout seller'. If the higher price means it can sustain a 'low volume tax', profit margin flow to Apple the volume only has be 'high enough'; not a blowout.
Similar issue for the iPhone Air (that will be in the Pro price range). Just has to e profitable, not the foundational base of the unit volume. Over time it may be the iPhone Air that creeps down in price to replace the regular iPhone if Apple gets the costs out of the system.
