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Apple's First Foldable iPhone Estimated to Cost Nearly Twice as Much as iPhone 16 Pro Max
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As interested as I would be on the product, this would simply price me out of the market.
In an investor research note today with British bank Barclays, analyst Tim Long said Apple's first foldable iPhone could have a starting price in the $2,300 range in the United States, which would make it by far the most expensive iPhone model ever.
If the first foldable iPhone starts at $2,299, that means it would cost nearly twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199.
Long shared this pricing estimate following a recent trip to Asia, where his team met with hardware manufacturers. He said there is increasing discussion within the supply chain about a foldable iPhone launching in late 2026 to early 2027, but he believes that the device's higher starting price would unsurprisingly limit sales volume.
Earlier this month, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the first foldable iPhone would be priced between $2,000 and $2,500, so multiple analysts agree that the device will cost at least a few thousand dollars. Kuo believes there could still be strong demand for the foldable iPhone despite its higher price, however, provided that the device's quality meets expectations. For example, Apple releasing a foldable smartphone without a visible crease in the screen would be a major breakthrough.
Kuo said the first foldable iPhone would feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and a high-density battery. He expects the device to be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded. He expects the device to have a titanium exterior, but the hinge would use a mix of titanium and stainless steel.
Kuo said the foldable iPhone would enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026.
With the foldable iPhone at least a year and a half away, keep in mind that this pricing estimate is surely just an educated guess.
Article Link: Apple's First Foldable iPhone Estimated to Cost Nearly Twice as Much as iPhone 16 Pro Max
Hahahaha
Apple lives in another world. Ipad has a very big screen and is cheaper than an iphone. They will fail with this product like apple vision pro.
iPad Mini is $500 also foldable will not replace a big, 11 or 13" tablet.
But it will definitely replace the iPhone + Mini combo.
No thank you from me, quite happy with a non-folding phone.
I remember the foldable phones that were being sold years ago, for example the Motorola Razor V2/3.
They didn't take over the mobile market then, and I cannot see foldable phones doing it now. Samsung is evidence of that.
A folding iPad might make more sense.
I remember the foldable phones that were being sold years ago, for example the Motorola Razor V2/3.
They didn't take over the mobile market then, and I cannot see foldable phones doing it now. Samsung is evidence of that.
A folding iPad might make more sense.
It's amazing what a boomer forum this is, everyone is so negative without even seeing the product 😂 They want innovation and something new but whatever Apple tries to do new it's just complaining.
I hope you are correct...But what unique features will it have that the current models do not? IMHO foldables could be like AI has been for Apple. They are late to game and haven't got everything figured out yet.
Meanwhile the rest of the market is passing them by.
I suspect the iPhone Air is actually the design for half of the iPhone fold. If so, the iPhold should be a reasonable thickness when "doubled up".
Personally, I am a day 1 buy assuming it comes together. To be able to carry an iPad mini screen size in my pocket is something I have wanted for a long long time. I frankly use the iPhone and iPad so frequently all day I find the price to be close to inelastic, especially since I don't upgrade every year.
Personally, I am a day 1 buy assuming it comes together. To be able to carry an iPad mini screen size in my pocket is something I have wanted for a long long time. I frankly use the iPhone and iPad so frequently all day I find the price to be close to inelastic, especially since I don't upgrade every year.
I can see why they charge twice the cost.
When the iPhone or iPad breaks in half after use, you will have two of them
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When the iPhone or iPad breaks in half after use, you will have two of them
.iPad Ultra makes more sense than iPhone Ultra. The iPhone does not need to solve an issue to fold and carry. That would involve a tablet more than a phone. Because it will be a new product category for Apple it will sell well during the holidays but go extremely flat in sales starting in Q2 2027. The demand for foldable phones isn’t as high as people think.
You're not wrong about that crappy keyboard, but a flub like that with Apple is definitely an outlier.
They aren't redundant, but they aren't the hot new item anymore. They are boring commoditized tech, and getting a new phone is about as exciting as getting new tires. You're happy to have them, but 10 mins later, you don't care.
I have zero interest in a book-style foldable. A clamshell, maybe, as I don't need more screen...but even though I can afford it, my max is about $1200 for a phone. They just aren't worth much more than that, to me,
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All it needs to do is be as thin and light as the current Pro Max while retaining all its features and have a more durable screen without "crease". I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Matching competition also pretty obvious that it won't be cheaper than the top spec Pro Max ($1600)
iPhone 4 and 4S antennas, iPhone 6 Plus bending, Apple AI, Apples multi charging mat, Mobile Me, Apple Ping,Apple trash can Mac Pro, Apples iPhone battery scandal.
Apple has had a fair few misses over the years. But they've had a fair few hits too.
Absolutely. But my point is (in my opinion) that Apple should not follow others on tendencies. They should hire new visionary CEO and get its own path.
The hardware side is something analysts can investigate but what I’m really interested in is the software side. iOS and iPadOS split for obvious reasons but now both operating modes will be present in one device. Apple has to get that part right also.
You couldn’t be more wrong. There are people with more disposable income than you.