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Apple's Long-Rumored Foldable iPhone is Starting to Sound Serious

Sammy007 said:
Not to dampen your enthusiasm, Sir, nor to correct or undermine your perspective. As you mentioned, you have a lot of devices in your hands. Yes, it may seem that owning both an iPad and an iPhone is becoming archaic—but is it really? Is it worth it for Apple to enter that market? In my opinion, doing so could threaten the survival of their flagship iPhones and the iPad family. Apple has always been focused on diversifying its products, ensuring each has a distinct purpose while remaining seamlessly interconnected. A foldable MacBook, for example, could be a promising venture—innovative in design, functionality, and aesthetics. However, introducing a foldable phone that bridges the gap between an iPad and an iPhone could lead to a chaotic overlap that disrupts their current ecosystem.
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…I’m not saying a foldable makes them archaic individually; I’m talking about having to carry both for various on-the-go-needs is obsolete with foldables (especially use cases best served by iPhone + iPad Mini combinations)—that’s an invaluable convenience that has a premium price to it that is in the benefit of Apple accommodating for increased profits.

I and several prosumer segments would still need an iPad Pro regardless for various use cases that doesn’t cannibalize the iPad Pro for example. Same thing with the Vision Pro.

Devices are meant to be useful for people’s computing lifestyles with manufacturers offering options to accommodating varying needs in which versatility is a premium/luxury Apple already accommodates offering prosumer, no-compromises hardware across several categories


A foldable phone and even a foldable Macbook more than anything warrants a more expensive device with even higher margins Apple is to gain accommodating bought by segments that would find the convenience and versatility worthwhile to pay more money than existing options.

A foldable iPhone in the matter other platforms already accommodate is gonna cost much more than their existing flagship tier phone: More than buying that pbije and an iPad Mini actually.

So I don’t follow what disruption you’re talking about.

That’s not an individual’s problem or concern regardless.

You’re talking as if you’re a stakeholder or an anti-technologist invested in status quo insisting how things are today is enough or is the best path of highest profit.

Disrupting their existing status quo can very much be a good thing by offering more sophisticated and more versatile devices via foldables that also gives them hope of more profit if they take off—especially the ones that will be a tier above their existing flagships by design.

The iPhone itself was that by consolidating/distrusting the AirPod business.

If foldable iPhones disrupt their iPad Mini business, Apple stands to gain a lot more money than not.
 
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lilkwarrior said:
…I’m not saying a foldable makes them archaic individually; I’m talking about having to carry both for various on-the-go-needs is obsolete with foldables (especially use cases best served by iPhone + iPad Mini combinations)—that’s an invaluable convenience that has a premium price to it that is in the benefit of Apple accommodating for increased profits.

I and several prosumer segments would still need an iPad Pro regardless for various use cases that doesn’t cannibalize the iPad Pro for example. Same thing with the Vision Pro.

Devices are meant to be useful for people’s computing lifestyles with manufacturers offering options to accommodating varying needs in which versatility is a premium/luxury Apple already accommodates offering prosumer, no-compromises hardware across several categories


A foldable phone and even a foldable Macbook more than anything warrants a more expensive device with even higher margins Apple is to gain accommodating bought by segments that would find the convenience and versatility worthwhile to pay more money than existing options.

A foldable iPhone in the matter other platforms already accommodate is gonna cost much more than their existing flagship tier phone: More than buying that pbije and an iPad Mini actually.

So I don’t follow what disruption you’re talking about.

That’s not an individual’s problem or concern regardless.

You’re talking as if you’re a stakeholder or an anti-technologist invested in status quo insisting how things are today is enough or is the best path of highest profit.

Disrupting their existing status quo can very much be a good thing by offering more sophisticated and more versatile devices via foldables that also gives them hope of more profit if they take off—especially the ones that will be a tier above their existing flagships by design.

The iPhone itself was that by consolidating/distrusting the AirPod business.

If foldable iPhones disrupt their iPad Mini business, Apple stands to gain a lot more money than not.
Click to expand...
I understand your point—it's the convenience that appeals to prosumers like yourself. And I don't see myself as an anti-technologist either. I fully embrace technology, and I'm not suggesting that today's tech is sufficient—it certainly isn't. However, I believe that introducing a higher-tier foldable iPhone might not be the right answer just yet. Yes, the convenience of having a 2-in-1 device is undeniable, but it doesn't make sense to me at this moment.

Here’s why: Apple creating a foldable device would mean a significant increase in cost while compromising the hardware features currently present in the Pro Max lineup. For instance, it's unlikely that Apple would include a triple-camera setup or maintain the same screen quality due to the challenges of folding. This would make a foldable feel more like a downgrade than an upgrade. It could also indirectly impact the iPad lineup, even if not immediately or directly. While it might not be an issue for individual consumers, as it would just be another SKU within Apple's product range, I don't believe the market is ready for a foldable device from Apple.

For me, the timing isn't right, and Apple would risk compromising its reputation for quality and functionality. A foldable iPhone might introduce more challenges than benefits at this stage.
 
5.5" external screen is too small. It has to be close to the size of a pro model screen for it to be useful for most use cases.
 
I think that foldable (like Android tablets) are lame concepts. I’ve not seen a foldable I like except maybe that one that opens up in like 3 portions.

That being said, while I will likely never buy an Apple foldable (I want this fad to die like the 3d phones), much like most of Apple products, I feel like Apple will be the one to convince me that foldables are actually good.

After all I didn’t care for tablets outside my surface now I’m an iPad girl.

I thought most headsets were lame, I’m an AVP girl.

I wasn’t a fan of wireless now I use AirPods.

I still hate USB C and RCS but I hate them slightly less now thanks to Apple.
 
Time is right, customers are waiting and most importantly Apple has numerous patents for the fold
2026 is the optimum year for release
Later will be too late. Think about it
 
I had a look at a friends Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 at the weekend and it had a nice creased ripple down the middle of the screen, not for me Jeff. He paid the best part of £1600 for that. I just think this sort of issue will always be a concern, not that I'd be the target market for this sort of device.
 
The-Real-Deal82 said:
I had a look at a friends Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 at the weekend and it had a nice creased ripple down the middle of the screen, not for me Jeff. He paid the best part of £1600 for that. I just think this sort of issue will always be a concern, not that I'd be the target market for this sort of device.
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Really is a non factor in day to day usage and fold 6 has one of the worse creases compared to other foldables . Pixel fold also isn’t good.

Fold 7 will be a lot better
 
I have lots but not all of Apple’s products. Just like the store with 57 flavors of ice cream, I choose the ones that work for me.

A fold iPhone is not on my short list of necessities.

Another point of failure is not what I want in my daily and emergency device.
 
Nothing have made me even consider to ditch my mini for any of these phones.
If I want a screen as an iPad mini, I bring that one with me.
Maybe not the MBA, as that is too big today, too.

But as always, we customers adjust and use what works for us 😉
 
Tomasulu said:
5.5" external screen is too small. It has to be close to the size of a pro model screen for it to be useful for most use cases.
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Maybe on current aspect ratio but this will likely be a wider aspect ratio so more like a passport. Ideal for most usage cases. Apple’s idea is likely wider and when you want an even bigger screen open it
 
The Game 161 said:
Maybe on current aspect ratio but this will likely be a wider aspect ratio so more like a passport. Ideal for most usage cases. Apple’s idea is likely wider and when you want an even bigger screen open it
Click to expand...
I get it and it won't be the first wide format foldable. But to me that's the wrong way to go. I use my find n5 like a slab phone most of the time. With dimension that's similar to a pro max I can do everything on the external screen. There must be a reason why no slab phone adopts a shorter wider form factor. I use the larger internal screen when I'm consuming content or when the app is better on a split screen.
 
Tomasulu said:
I get it and it won't be the first wide format foldable. But to me that's the wrong way to go. I use my find n5 like a slab phone most of the time. With dimension that's similar to a pro max I can do everything on the external screen. There must be a reason why no slab phone adopts a shorter wider form factor. I use the larger internal screen when I'm consuming content or when the app is better on a split screen.
Click to expand...
As somebody who had the pixel fold the passport feel worked great and I often used it like that. If it’s like that I think that’s just as good as the oppo find n5 look. Both would work well in normal viewing mode. Fold 6 is where its bad as its too narrow
 
In short, Apple FINALLY eliminated most of the major downsides of a foldable cellphone. But its potentially very price could make it a niche product (for now).
 
Rumors are flying, no substantiation, even Prosser and Pu aren’t sure
Possible yes probable No because of the tariffs unless something changes
Estimated cost of a Fold is over $3000. Not for everybody and at that price is Apple going to make it?
 
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