Other Foldable iPhones are a great thing - hear me out!

[totom_]

The foldable trend is happening, whether we like it or not. At some point, also Apple will jump said bandwagon. Now, like many of you, I don’t want a foldable phone - so why is it good?
In recent years the price of phones continuously increased and the trend is unlikely to reverse. But if manufacturers add a foldable flagship to their lineup, it will be their top of the line product, allowing other products to keep the old price or even decrease. I doubt there will ever be a point where one only sells foldables, hence it is a win-win for both sides! What do you guys think?

 

[The.Glorious.Son]

I think if and when a foldable iPhone happens, it will be priced above and beyond the current flagship. I don’t see the current lineup style decreasing in price to accommodate a foldable phone. Remaining at the current price point is possible. I personally wouldn’t pay the $1500 for the 2019 Razr, let alone what Apple might charge.

 

[d.best.5205622]

Novelty

 

[now i see it]

a passing fad

 

[Lucas284]

I don’t think foldable phones will be the future. I think it would make more sense that all phones will go smaller in size again, for the ‘good old times sake’ which more people tend to have.

 

[d.best.5205622]

I don’t think foldable phones will be the future. I think it would make more sense that all phones will go smaller in size again, for the ‘good old times sake’ which more people tend to have.

Bigger is better

 

[JagRunner]

I'm not interested in that right now...who knows what it will be like 10 years from now though.

 

[d.best.5205622]

I'm not interested in that right now...who knows what it will be like 10 years from now though.

They’ll imbed it your brain. Try and fold that. You’ll be able to see porn through your eyes like a HUD. People will wonder why you’re covering up your crotch and smiling while walking down the sidewalk

 

[MagicBoy]

Utterly pointless. Just because you can do it, does't make it a good idea.

 

[EM2013]

That’s assuming they take off successfully. Which I doubt they ever will.

 

[freeagent]

It would be like a big flip phone ?

I can hear Motorola laughing now.

 

[ACB 123]

I like the idea of a folding phone but I won't pay the high price for one.

 

[blairh]

Extremely confident we will see a folding iPhone at some point. It will have no impact on the rest of the lineup pricing though. I reckon it will always be the most expensive iPhone with respect to starting price.

 

[ian87w]

It would be like a big flip phone ?

I can hear Motorola laughing now.

I don't think they had a good laugh with their $1500 RAZR 2019.
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Personally, I don't expect foldable iPhone. Foldables are too fragile, with plastic screens and gaps on the hinge where debris can enter easily.

Current flagship iPhone has IP68 rating and stainless steel frame. I don't think Apple would make a higher end foldable iPhone model that don't have those.

 

[Jimmy James]

What’s next? Foldable laptops?

 

[44267547]

Extremely confident we will see a folding iPhone at some point. It will have no impact on the rest of the lineup pricing though. I reckon it will always be the most expensive iPhone with respect to starting price.

So let’s take your confidence and say an folding iPhone launches three years from now. Do you know how much potential has to change between now and then if where this never happens? A lot. I’m sure Apple has some type of R&D in the background that they’re working on for a ‘prototype‘ (Cuz’ that’s what tech companies do, they experiment with technology that may never come to fruition), but if you look at their advancements for the iPhone, I doubt a folding iPhone is the future, not when the AR/LiDAR/health capabilities is technology pushing the iPhone forward, not a hinged device.

that’s great that you want to see a folding iPhone, but you have to have a sense of realism in terms of how makes Apple money, and given smart phones have plateaued for years, there’s not much market cap room for a ‘folding iPhone‘ that will be priced out of consumers reach.

 

[snipr125]

Some tech utubers do actually use flip phones (samsung galaxy flip) as their daily drivers like the snazzy labs guy and Austin Evans, and they really like them. The main issue is the visible crease in the middle of the screen so far. Apart from this they are viable phones to use, with the compact form factor and dual screens being the best parts as well as the different design which attracts attention. These phones may not ever become mainstream flagships, but can be a niche product for those that want something different (IMHO).

 

[PutTheFBackIn]

Too gimmicky at this point.

And I don’t see regular phones dropping in price, but rather the foldable phones will just be exorbitantly high in price (Samsung Fold was a good example).

 

[frankenhooker]

I’d bet less than 1m foldable phones have been sold in total, worldwide. It’s a passing fad.

When the hinge starts breaking and customers have to payout ridiculous amounts to get them fixed they’ll become obsolete.

 

[The Game 161]

They will be in a few years...now? Still has ways to go

 

[blairh]

So let’s take your confidence and say an folding iPhone launches three years from now. Do you know how much potential has to change between now and then if where this never happens? A lot. I’m sure Apple has some type of R&D in the background that they’re working on for a ‘prototype‘ (Cuz’ that’s what tech companies do, they experiment with technology that may never come to fruition), but if you look at their advancements for the iPhone, I doubt a folding iPhone is the future, not when the AR/LiDAR/health capabilities is technology pushing the iPhone forward, not a hinged device.

that’s great that you want to see a folding iPhone, but you have to have a sense of realism in terms of how makes Apple money, and given smart phones have plateaued for years, there’s not much market cap room for a ‘folding iPhone‘ that will be priced out of consumers reach.

Smartphones have plateaued because we have had little innovation for many years. I've been an iPhone user since 2008. It's a candy bar shaped device that does the same thing year after year. Only better. A folding iPhone will revolutionize the smartphone market and offer it the kick in the pants that it so desperately needs. Apple offering a device that doubles as both a smartphone and portable tablet will be the most exiting thing to happen to the category since the invention of the smartphone itself.

As for pricing. I expect the Fold 2 will be available starting at $1800 this August. Maybe even less. Let's say the folding iPhone comes in 3 years. By 2023, I expect the Fold 5.0 could potentially start at $1300 given the cheaper cost of production, advancements in technology, etc. If the 12 Pro Max will start at $1100 this fall, and a potential 15 Pro Max starts at the same price in 3 years, couldn't a folding iPhone realistically cost $1300 at a base model price? If so, I believe such a device would sell extremely well for Apple.

When's the last time I was genuinely excited to purchase a new iPhone? Probably the 6 Plus, because the iPhone was available in a much larger size. And even then it wasn't really a thrilling moment. But a folding iPhone? Now that would really be a reason to be excited again and to open up my wallet happily.

 

[Allyance]

Doubt it, just something else to break or go wrong. Just look at all the other complaints about normal stuff like batteries, etc.

 

[daimos]

Smartphones have plateaued because we have had little innovation for many years. I've been an iPhone user since 2008. It's a candy bar shaped device that does the same thing year after year. Only better. A folding iPhone will revolutionize the smartphone market and offer it the kick in the pants that it so desperately needs. Apple offering a device that doubles as both a smartphone and portable tablet will be the most exiting thing to happen to the category since the invention of the smartphone itself.

As for pricing. I expect the Fold 2 will be available starting at $1800 this August. Maybe even less. Let's say the folding iPhone comes in 3 years. By 2023, I expect the Fold 5.0 could potentially start at $1300 given the cheaper cost of production, advancements in technology, etc. If the 12 Pro Max will start at $1100 this fall, and a potential 15 Pro Max starts at the same price in 3 years, couldn't a folding iPhone realistically cost $1300 at a base model price? If so, I believe such a device would sell extremely well for Apple.

When's the last time I was genuinely excited to purchase a new iPhone? Probably the 6 Plus, because the iPhone was available in a much larger size. And even then it wasn't really a thrilling moment. But a folding iPhone? Now that would really be a reason to be excited again and to open up my wallet happily.

You still have not explained why a folding phone is better, except saying it’s different. You’re bored. But that’s your problem, not ours.

 

[snipr125]

You still have not explained why a folding phone is better, except saying it’s different. You’re bored. But that’s your problem, not ours.

Well the foldable compact form factor, and dual screens for a start (I’m talking about flip phones in particular). Imagine a flip iPhone with your normal homepage on one screen and then said app opens on the second screen. Great for multi tasking. also in clamshell mode (closed), there would be a small screen that shows notifications, change song track etc.

 

[eyoungren]

Apple offering a device that doubles as both a smartphone and portable tablet will be the most exiting thing to happen to the category since the invention of the smartphone itself.

Jack of all trades…master of none.

This becomes then another argument: iDevice or computer? Digital camera or the camera on a smartphone?

The iPhone and the iPad themselves do a lot well enough to be used a substitutes for dedicated tech, but they haven't replaced those dedicated things. There is always some compromise. But if what it does is sufficient for you and for others then that's great. Everyone uses what is best for them.

This isn't going to replace my phone, my iPad or my desktop Macs though.
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Well the foldable compact form factor, and dual screens for a start (I’m talking about flip phones in particular). Imagine a flip iPhone with your normal homepage on one screen and then said app opens on the second screen. Great for multi tasking. also in clamshell mode (closed), there would be a small screen that shows notifications, change song track etc.

I have a Mac Pro connected to six large monitors for things like that. As big as a foldable is, it's not going to unfold to the size of my 55" HDTV.

Good concept and useful I suppose for certain people, but not anything I'd use to replace what I have currently.

It would seem (to me) then that one of the arguments for foldable is a means to have dual displays - something computers have had for years.