I love the idea of a foldable phone. If the unfolded size was right it would replace the need for an iPad and iPhone, could do it all with one device. Not that it would be as big as my iPad 11, but it would be a great web browsing device still at a much more portable size. If I have faith in Apple for anything it is for amazing hardware. There were smart phones before the iPhone, there were tablets before the iPad, it took Apple to literally create the market and make it what it is today. If Apple is still up to it they could possible do the same thing with some revolutionary foldable screen tech.
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Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Has No Visible Display Crease – Report
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I woudn't pay a premium for a device where its biggest selling point is a screen I wouldn't use though. When I said I use a 6.9" screen now (iPhone 16 Pro Max), I meant its more than big enough and I wouldn't have a need for it to fold out into something twice the size, even if the footprint is essentially the same size when carrying it.
Not suggesting others won't have this need and I am all for choice, I just don't want Apple to focus solely on foldables at the expense of Pro Max phones that are popular now.
Exactly. My iPhone screens have always scratched if my keys even look at them wrong. It’s not even a key, it’s a rounded key fob but if it gets anywhere near it, instant scratches.
I want harder screens, not softer. I want that Jerry Rig guy to gasp in shock when it doesn’t scratch at 6.
I love my Fold6 and am curious what a foldable iPhone will bring.
People like to latch onto the crease but it's a nothing burger and impacts your daily use as much as the notch/island argument. Way more critical than any crease is software support! Apple needs to do some real work to bring iOS up to the levels needed to take advantage of an iFold. How about some real multi-window/multi-app support instead of the garbage Stage Manager? What about a true file manager while you're at it? Will there be Apple Pencil support (with maybe a new Apple Pencil mini)? At least Apple already has experience with apps that exist for iOS and iPadOS form factors so that will help with adapting to the two screen sizes of an Apple foldable.
People like to latch onto the crease but it's a nothing burger and impacts your daily use as much as the notch/island argument. Way more critical than any crease is software support! Apple needs to do some real work to bring iOS up to the levels needed to take advantage of an iFold. How about some real multi-window/multi-app support instead of the garbage Stage Manager? What about a true file manager while you're at it? Will there be Apple Pencil support (with maybe a new Apple Pencil mini)? At least Apple already has experience with apps that exist for iOS and iPadOS form factors so that will help with adapting to the two screen sizes of an Apple foldable.
I’m gonna sell you on one…
You say you’re 42…and isn’t 42 the new 32??
You have plenty of cool left in you..cmon you know you want one…
Agree. In principle I would be interested in an iPad Mini that folded but the dimensions of a truly folded Mini don't work out well from an ergonomic standpoint. MKBHD touched upon the issue in a recent video, noting that large foldables of today have a square form factor when unfolded that while they achieve more screen area they actually result in less usable space for some applications like video playback. Certainly Apple is not locked into following the formulas of other foldable designs but they will have to contend with the issue of figuring out what aspect ratio is best.
Add to this the fact that certain UI aspects of iPadOS are not ideal and I have to wonder how things are going to turn out. I love my iPad Mini but the UI scaling of control center or today view sucks; there's just so much wasted space. Home screen margins in landscape are also a waste of space. Such things will hopefully be addressed during the development of a foldable device of this type (less necessary if what Apple is focusing on is just a flip phone).
I know what I like, but I’m not pig-headed enough to say I will never change my mind. With that said, I have no interest in this type of product.
If Apple has a patent then Samsung cannot just reproduce it without infringing on the patent. Samsung will definitely make exclusive screens for Apple, there are millions upon millions of Apple devices sold, Samsung would happily carry on with their own product as well as making products for Apple to generate even more income.
If you don't like an iPad, why would you want an iPhone that folds out to be essentially an iPad? And that additional complexity will not be cheap, I can get an Air on sale for $499. I would be very surprised if the first iPhone Fold is cheaper than iPhone + iPad Air.
Samsung Display is the supplier. They are a separate business unit from the consumer division that sells directly to the consumer.
It’s going to be so expensive! I better start saving now 😅.
But an aspect ratio that is shorter and wider when closed is very promising for an unfolded aspect ratio that is tablet like instead of square. If I can replace my iPad mini and phone with this then it would be worth the money.
I hope it has pencil support.
But an aspect ratio that is shorter and wider when closed is very promising for an unfolded aspect ratio that is tablet like instead of square. If I can replace my iPad mini and phone with this then it would be worth the money.
I hope it has pencil support.
Why are so many people jumping out in the comments to let us know "I don't want this"?
Apple releases about 4 phone models a year- they're certainly not expecting you to buy all 4.
Apple releases about 4 phone models a year- they're certainly not expecting you to buy all 4.
Weight is the question for me. I need the extra screen space for productivity tasks. I carry an ipad with me at all times for work. Last year i switched to a Sumsung Fold 5 after being an iPhone user since the first gen. It was awesome only carrying that 1 device. However the Fold was so heavy that my hand started cramping and got very painful. The Dbrand case on the Fold made it even heavier and bulky.
My ipad mini weighs more than a Fold 5, but I naturally hold a tablet differently. With a typical slab phone i rest most of the weight on my pinky finger. The Fold 5 in folded mode resting on my pinky was just too much. The simple answer was training myself to hold the phone differently, but muscle memory is hard to break. I eventually switched back to my iphone & ipad solution.
My ipad mini weighs more than a Fold 5, but I naturally hold a tablet differently. With a typical slab phone i rest most of the weight on my pinky finger. The Fold 5 in folded mode resting on my pinky was just too much. The simple answer was training myself to hold the phone differently, but muscle memory is hard to break. I eventually switched back to my iphone & ipad solution.
Thats brand new phone, lets talk several years. However, I do think having a matte screen finish will reduce the kind of glare which emphasizes the crease so I think they're onto something there.
I wasn't suggesting I am old, I am just at a point in my life where I have a lot more disposible income than I had in my 20's and early 30's, but I also buy what I like, rather than buying things other people feel are cool for the sake of it.
Yes, brand new device(Oppo find n5) in Asia, and this creaseless foldable device apple "invented" isn't out till 2026.
Weird post since no one is saying that Apple invented foldable phones.
MacRumors summary says apple achieved a major breakthrough in a creaseless foldable.
It seems weird to me that Samsung can fix the crease for Apple but not their own devices! Surely this is something Samsung have worked out how to do and will use it in their phones too.
It's obvious they are talking about inventing a technique to eliminate the crease, not inventing foldable phones.