If any of you watched the Science Fiction series Expanse, they used the future iPhone of my fantasies. It didn't need to fold; it used holograms.
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Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027
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IDC forecasts less than 50 million foldable smartphones per year sold worldwide by 2028. That's out of over 1 Billion sold per year. Pardon me if I don't buy the hype of a premium offering that doesn't even hit 5% of share after six years on the market. I'll let you guys pay the early adopter tax.
Hopefully in 18 months I’ll have a foldable Apple phone! I really love this z fold, it’s like having an iPad mini in my pocket. I read journal articles on it daily, and use it to read to my kids at night. Getting closer to my goal of using only one device!
see this sort of thing in black mirror and other sci fi as well
I genuinely believe this is the future of handheld devices
people will say this is ridiculous, but it was almost 30 years from the fictional crew in Star Trek tng using tablets until the first iPad
this doesn't seem out of reach 30 years from now
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What was so insightful about "Expanse" was the iPad-like data terminals, which were universal devices, data, and control consoles for spaceships or automobiles. You carried them with you and plugged/paired them wherever needed.
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Completely agree. I left iOS a few years ago for a Fold 4 and it was absolutely my favorite phone of all time. I am now on the Fold 6 and the lovefest continues daily. The next year or two will be exciting with the upcoming Samsung Fold G and anticipated iPhone Fold, at which time I may return to iOS but that's dependent on the software. Regular iPhones are dead to me.
While a foldable iPhone will undoubtedly be the most expensive model, it may appeal to those that prefer a smaller iPhone (when folded). Apple can essentially advertise it as a "smaller iPhone" that can also double as an "iPhone with the largest display".
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Price is clearly the differentiator here. Foldables occupy a higher percentage when compared to other phones costing $800+.
It is the same trend as EVs. For Tesla, growth didn't explode until they released the Model 3/Y at much lower, albeit still premium price. Once more foldable options are available, at more affordable prices, then you'll see that market share really spike. And with Apple soon to join the fold, no pun intended, the foldable market will see a significant uptake because most Apple users are already used to premium-priced devices.
Yes! I don’t get all this hate for foldables. With the oppo n5 and the rumored Z Fold 7, they are nearly as thin as the iPhone Pros, so to me the inner screen is a bonus. I won’t ever go back to a regular phone!
When I saw the image in the original post, I was immediately transported to the Psion 3a!
Of course I can recognise the huge differences, but the Psion held so much promise. And, in some measure, delivered on several of them.
Psion Series 3 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Of course I can recognise the huge differences, but the Psion held so much promise. And, in some measure, delivered on several of them.
Or the Nokia Communicator.When I saw the image in the original post, I was immediately transported to the Psion 3a!
Psion Series 3 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
View attachment 2507955
Of course I can recognise the huge differences, but the Psion held so much promise. And, in some measure, delivered on several of them.
Please Apple - since you are adding buttons now, just give us a 9110-style foldable with two screens and a proper keyboard!
I have a 2012 non-Tesla EV. It has extremely limited range, and while it works for my needs, I wouldn't recommend it to the average consumer. It also cost $35k new though I got it much cheaper used. Point is, there are many externalities that propelled the EV market ten years ago: expanded charging infrastructure, increased tax incentives, general reliability among EVs in general - which work if consumers care to make the leap.
I don't know that the foldable is the same thing. Sure, it's nice that you can have a phone that folds out to an iPad. It sounds neat. Is it necessary? If I can get a $1000 iPhone and a $500 iPad for far less with the ability to change out either at my leisure, not so much. For a lot of people the utility lines up with the novelty and that's great for them. But you have to admit that it's a niche of a niche of a niche. Like the mini and Plus iPhones, I'm not sure that the foldable will sell in the volumes to stay in the product portfolio - unless it's priced the same as a Pro iPhone. Then you'll have my attention.
Apple just came out with the Plus models recently. There’s talk about them being discontinued too
Waiting for the Mini ... I know it could be a long wait, but things go in cycles and I live in hope. I'll happily jump ship to Android for a smaller phone.
Valid points, EVs were an entirely new platform and needed new infrastructure and incentives to drive the transition from ICE cars. The point I intended to make is foldables are a nascent tech and, like EVs, needed to improve on multiple fronts before becoming more mainstream. Foldables are now more durable, thinner, and even lighter than an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The crease is also being addressed, but the last big barrier is still price. As the form-factor becomes more commonplace then you'll start to see prices come down and demand go up.
I don't believe foldables are that niche at all. After all, we've all had flip phones from way back in the early days of mobile. Foldables are an evolution of a flip phone and gives you double or triple the screen real estate. I stopped reaching for my 12.9" iPad Pro after I got the Fold 4 because it could now serve as both my phone and tablet. Yes, you could get a separate flagship phone and an iPad for the same price, but you don't typically carry both those devices with you whereas a foldable means you can. And, with many promotions, my Fold 4 and Fold 6 were only marginally more expensive than an S Ultra or iPhone Pro Max. For those on a budget, a year-old Fold 5 in mint condition was only $800 (within iPhone price territory) when I last checked on Swappa.
If you want to talk nichest of niche, a foldable iPhone is still immensely more useful and practical to me than a Vision Pro, even if Apple knocked $1000 off the headset.
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I had the Revo and the 5mx. Amazing for the time!When I saw the image in the original post, I was immediately transported to the Psion 3a!
Psion Series 3 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
View attachment 2507955
Of course I can recognise the huge differences, but the Psion held so much promise. And, in some measure, delivered on several of them.
I've seen a few people with fold phones, not sure if they are the same ones you have and I have toi say the fold is holding up.
Looking at their screens I could only see a minor fold down the middle when extended but it didn't detract from what I was doing when using the device.
Based on the rumors so far, screen size wise, plus and air are about the same, so it basically is going to get a rename.
Besides, no ridiculing of the people who chose to buy Plus models coming from other users unlike the minis
Yeah I have the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the latest from Samsung. There is definitely a crease, but i can't see it indoors. If I go outside, the light reflects from the screen and the crease becomes more visible. If the iPhone foldable has a crease, it will be more controversial than the iPad mini jelly scrolling (which i also don't find to be a significant issue).