Other A Foldable iPhone will Flop

[Pbwallstreet]

A foldable iPhone will flop. Just like the Apple Vision Pro (AVP), it will be a niche product with limited appeal — not the next big thing. Yes, I know there will be a small brigade of you ready to jump in and tell me they want one, and therefore everyone must want one too. But personal desire doesn’t equal market demand.

When Apple announced the AVP, I made the case here on the forums that it would fail to gain general consumer interest. Not because it’s not impressive tech — it is. But because it lacks broad utility and solves no pressing problem for most people. The same logic applies to a foldable iPhone. Here’s why.

The main reasons I listed why the Apple Vision Pro would be a niche product right after it was announced:

• It’s an awkward form factor — wearing ski goggles on your face is not how most people want to interact with the world.
• It simulates reality poorly. The highest-fidelity version of reality is… reality.
• It doesn’t solve a widespread problem, and instead creates new ones: isolation, weight, cost, battery life, etc.
• It competes with — but doesn’t outperform — existing Apple devices like iPads, iPhones, and Macs.
• In short, it has no “reason to live” as a mainstream product other than niche applications.

Now apply the same logic to a foldable iPhone:

• Compromised form factor: it’s essentially two phones sandwiched together. Thicker. Heavier. Awkward. No matter how sleek Apple tries to make it, the ergonomics will suffer.
• Display trade-offs: to fold, the screen needs to be plastic — not glass and optics will be degraded. That means lower durability, more scratches, and likely a visible crease, even if faint.
• No clear productivity gain: it won’t be large enough to replace an iPad Pro for serious work or multitasking. It’s not going to make spreadsheets, document editing, or design work better.
• It solves nothing: nobody is asking for this. It doesn’t address a real consumer painpoint. It adds complexity to a form factor that’s already perfected: the slab phone.
• It’s outclassed by existing devices: iPhones are great at being phones. iPads are great at being tablets. Laptops are great at being computers. A foldable iPhone is a master of none.

Yes, I know some of you will say: “But I want one!”

Sure. And that’s fine. Enthusiasts like us often love cutting-edge technology. But if you look at the reasons above, this device has niche appeal at best. It will not capture mainstream consumer demand. Just like AVP, it’ll be a showcase product — a status symbol, a curiosity — not a mainstream device.

I suspect Apple is putting out controlled leaks to throw off the competition and has no intention of releasing a foldable iPhone. If they actually do release such a device, they will have lost the plot.

 

[menist]

Unless they completely redesign and innovate iOS specifically for the inner bigger screen, it’s nothing but a big iPhone when opened. I wouldn't pay $2k+ for it.

 

[kamikazeeMC]

I don't know the Fold 7 seems pretty slick to me as an advocate of small phones.

I believe this is one reason Apple is late to the foldable game, as they want to solve/make a better attempt at this.

It's not meant to be an iPad Pro, if you want what an iPad Pro can do, you buy it. It bridges the gap to those chasing a bigger screen but can get away without getting an iPad, wanting to consolidate devices.

Typical no one asked for this, no one wants a mini or an Air, it's too compromising.

There are plenty of people where their phone is their only computer device. Have no need for a desktop/laptop or an iPad secondary device, but may want more screen real estate when working with certain workloads.

 

[NotApplicable]

Just like Apple’s other relatively low-volume products, not everyone needs to buy one for something to be a commercial success. You’re comparing to the AVP, but a foldable phone is different. It’s not a new product category, it’s just an alternate form factor. Mac mini, Mac Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, all alternative form factors to the VASTLY more popular MacBook Air and MacBoom Pro.

Fold doesn’t need to replace slab for it to be successful. I don’t think they’ll be launching the fold with a success metric of overtaking iPhone or iPhone Pro.

I think Apple will do fold better than others because they’re waiting for the form factor to mature a bit, plus they have plenty of experience with tablets. Samsung has already proven that the market exists and is increasing YoY.

 

[3Rock]

No, it will not flop. Look at the fold 7, did it flop? No, it didn’t, so your guess is wrong.

 

[Mikeske]

Just do not see any real reason for a foldable phone. I have a iPad mini that is the right form factor for what I want. My iphone is the more portable and my iMac is used at home and I have MacBook Air for travel. So really don’t need a foldable device. I can see reasons for it but my use case it doesn’t work

 

[uuee6543]

Galaxy Fold 7 is insanely popular. A lot of people are saying it's the first folable phone they wpuld seriously consider. It isn't much thicker when folded than the current iPhone 17 pro max. If Apple can pull something like this off, it will sell like hotcakes.

Incidentally, I have friends who have literally delayed upgrading for YEARS as they are jealous of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and are waiting for Apple to relese a phone like that. I also think Apple can pull split screen multitasking with more than one app open at a time with a foldable. And I disagree that nobody is asking for this/it doesn't solve any problem. Lots of people hate consuming content on a small screen.

 

[JPack]

Reminds me of the debate about phablets back in the early 2010s. Too big, too easy to crack, too difficult to hold.

A leading edge foldable like Huawei Mate XT is 3.6mm thin. A two panel folded device like that would be thinner than iPhone 17. Why would anyone buy a regular non-foldable except for price?

The CAGR for foldables is about 25%.

The world’s largest smartphone market is also the largest foldable market. So it’s not just random posters here asking for it. Apple would be nuts not to satisfy that demand.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

Galaxy Fold 7 is insanely popular. A lot of people are saying it's the first folable phone they wpuld seriously consider. It isn't much thicker when folded than the current iPhone 17 pro max. If Apple can pull something like this off, it will sell like hotcakes.

Incidentally, I have friends who have literally delayed upgrading for YEARS as they are jealous of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and are waiting for Apple to relese a phone like that. I also think Apple can pull split screen multitasking with more than one app open at a time with a foldable. And I disagree that nobody is asking for this/it doesn't solve any problem. Lots of people hate consuming content on a small screen.

Foldables are niche, making up around 2% of all global smartphone sales.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

Reminds me of the debate about phablets back in the early 2010s. Too big, too easy to crack, too difficult to hold.

A leading edge foldable like Huawei Mate XT is 3.6mm thin. A two panel folded device like that would be thinner than iPhone 17. Why would anyone buy a regular non-foldable except for price?

The CAGR for foldables is about 25%.

The world’s largest smartphone market is also the largest foldable market. So it’s not just random posters here asking for it. Apple would be nuts not to satisfy that demand.

The point about thickness is that it will need to be thicker than what the current generation of non-foldable smartphones is able to achieve e.g., like an Air.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

All of the responses are what I predicted: personal opinions of “I want… my friend wants…”

List the reasons why anyone would buy a foldable phone. And for a person to buy a foldable phone, that means they will replace their current non-foldable smartphone so what are the reasons that is going to happen… and some of these people may forego a tablet as well… list why they would.

 

[Zensō]

IMO, the biggest drawback of foldables (among others) is the plastic screen. Yuck.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Guess it will depend on your definition. The Foldable iPhone will be meant to be niche, similar to the Air this year. I think it will do well in that regard, I will buy day one, love Foldables. It will not meant to be as popular as a Pro model phone probably ever.

 

[Andeddu]

I don't like complex tech that's easily damaged. That's why I prefer big simple slates such as the current iPhone line-up which are relatively easy to maintain and seem to last forever.

 

[FunkyTang]

Random redditor with Fold regrets switches to Air.

 

[eyoungren]

IMO, there will always be a purpose for a crescent wrench. They exist because they are convenient and can handle a multitude of light jobs. You can carry or pack one and it will fit most bolts. It will get the job done in most situations where it's needed.

But if you're serious, or the job requires a specific tool for a specific purpose, you aren't using a crescent wrench.

A foldable will exist because it solves the same problem in the same way a crescent wrench does. But it's never going to outdo the purpose built tool.

 

[barkomatic]

OP, one of your points is that a "small brigade" of folks who want a foldable will assume everyone wants one because they do. However, you are doing the same thing in reverse where you are assuming it will be a flop because you personally don't want one.

If Apple executes it properly then I think it can be a success and actually invigorate the foldable category as a whole. If Apple makes too many compromises, then it may turn out differently.

 

[Thats_Not_Marcus]

This forum thinks the Air is already flopping and already is on the foldable flopping bandwagon.

There is always a market for people who want a foldable. Granted it will be aimed towards those who want the latest and greatest innovation/ having the top tier item Apple offers as a status symbol.

Personally I have zero interest in a foldable and won't even consider it. The idea is neat and if people want it, then lets see Apple's spin on it! However I think we're years away from something truly innovating in that area verses just a big iPhone that folds. If Apple is going to do it, they will want to hit a nerve with Samsung I imagine.

 

[ofarlig]

All of the responses are what I predicted: personal opinions of “I want… my friend wants…”

List the reasons why anyone would buy a foldable phone. And for a person to buy a foldable phone, that means they will replace their current non-foldable smartphone so what are the reasons that is going to happen… and some of these people may forego a tablet as well… list why they would.

You just listed your personal opinions in the OP, so why shouldn’t other people list theirs?

It is not for everyone but Apples rumoured device have clear advantages in some areas like productivity and lower complexity in having one device fill two roles. To me the downsides like durability doesn’t matter since I will just buy a new one every year and have AppleCare+.

Expensive devices doesn’t need to sell in the same number as the cheaper ones to still be profitable enough to pursue.

 

[Pecka]

Maybe, but not for $2k.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

OP, one of your points is that a "small brigade" of folks who want a foldable will assume everyone wants one because they do. However, you are doing the same thing in reverse where you are assuming it will be a flop because you personally don't want one.

If Apple executes it properly then I think it can be a success and actually invigorate the foldable category as a whole. If Apple makes too many compromises, then it may turn out differently.

Strawman. I listed objective reasons why it will fail, not just “because I personally don’t want one.”

 

[Pbwallstreet]

You just listed your personal opinions in the OP, so why shouldn’t other people list theirs?

It is not for everyone but Apples rumoured device have clear advantages in some areas like productivity and lower complexity in having one device fill two roles. To me the downsides like durability doesn’t matter since I will just buy a new one every year and have AppleCare+.

Expensive devices doesn’t need to sell in the same number as the cheaper ones to still be profitable enough to pursue.

No I did not list personal opinions.

 

[barkomatic]

No I did not list personal opinions.

Your entire post is an opinion filled with subjective observations. I'm not saying it's invalid in any way, but to say your post was not an opinion suggests that you believe you've tapped into a universal truth that you are simply sharing with us

 

[ofarlig]

No I did not list personal opinions.

Everything you said was personal opinions.

 

[Cuesca]

Reminds me of the debate about phablets back in the early 2010s. Too big, too easy to crack, too difficult to hold.

A leading edge foldable like Huawei Mate XT is 3.6mm thin. A two panel folded device like that would be thinner than iPhone 17. Why would anyone buy a regular non-foldable except for price?

The CAGR for foldables is about 25%.

The world’s largest smartphone market is also the largest foldable market. So it’s not just random posters here asking for it. Apple would be nuts not to satisfy that demand.

I think biggest issue with foldables is the point of failure, which is the hinge and inner screen, not the price. Samsung is on the seventh iteration and they still haven't completely sovled this issue.