Google 'Pixel Fold' Delayed Yet Again as Apple Eyes 2025 for Foldable iPhone

[spiderman0616]

Was the seamless AS transition not innovative enough for you? What about the range of chips with great power and superb low-power consumtion? Is the tech behind the M1-Ultra not innovative enough?

Apple isn't going to release a folding phone until the hinge/screen tech is mature enough because no one cuts them slack like they do other companies. If Apple's foldable broke on launch day, like the the Z-Fold1 did, we would still be hearing about fold-gate. There are reports of Samsung not covering folding screen issues under warranty, despite promising they would; can you imagine if Apple did that?

TLDR - Samsung can release a Z-Fold1, Apple has to release a Z-Fold4.

Yeah, I'd love for someone to provide me a link showing me how Apple's phone business has suffered one single bit from not having a folding model on the market.

The Samsung folding phones are basically commercials anyway. Samsung wants to be first in line to sell all the other phone manufacturers their folding screen tech. The people who buy it today are just beta testing it for Apple and Samsung for the most part. Apple will likely design their own folding screen IF they ever release one, but will still most likely rely heavily on Samsung to manufacture it for them.

 

[Deguello]

As others have said, I think rollable is more attractive. It’s a phone I can pull out and look at to check notifications or send a text or whatever without having to open it every time. And I can make the screen bigger if I want to. That, I would consider. Something with two halves that folds closed, probably not so much.

 

[tubular]

Just don’t see it coming to fruition.

 

[RobNYC]

This whole idea of a foldable phone remains so unconvincingly superfluous to me... (similar to 3D TV sets..)
I bet before the obvious shortcomings are fully addressed some other disruption will come to make it almost useless..

I can't see wanting to have to unfold a phone whenever I want to use it. I guess that might be something other people want but I really don't mind the current form factor.

 

[darngooddesign]

Yeah, I'd love for someone to provide me a link showing me how Apple's phone business has suffered one single bit from not having a folding model on the market.

Back in 2006 no one could show Apple's phone profits suffering because they didn't specifically have an iPhone. Heck, I doubt their profits suffered due to the Rokr since it was basically a Motorola phone with an iTunes button.

Back in 2000 no one could show Apple's MP3 player profits suffering because they didn't have an iPod.

Once Apple solves the screen issues, I'll get one because I see the benefits.

 

[reyesmac]

Some ideas do not have to be new to succeed. Phones are fast enough that you can dock them into different devices and use them to power tablets, laptops, desktop computers. All you need is a connector that wont change between models so you can upgrade the cpu while using your previously purchased docks. An M1 iPhone could be a thing and it could power an ipad dock, imac dock and macbook dock. Simple, and it works. Even if its been tried before, technology catches up to good ideas that were implemented poorly in the past.

 

[IIGS User]

Folding phone is a gimmick. Even if/when the technology matures, it won't make sense. More moving parts = more stuff to break and wear out.

If you want a bigger screen, get a phablit or an "max" sized phone. If you need something larger, you really need at a minimum a smaller tablet, or a regular sized tablet.

It seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.

 

[darngooddesign]

I can't see wanting to have to unfold a phone whenever I want to use it. I guess that might be something other people want but I really don't mind the current form factor.

There is a screen on the outside; you only have to unfold it when you want to use the large screen.

 

[spiderman0616]

Back in 2006 no one could show Apple's phone profits suffering because they didn't specifically have an iPhone. Heck, I doubt their profits suffered due to the Rokr since it was basically a Motorola phone with an iTunes button.

Back in 2000 no one could show Apple's MP3 player profits suffering because they didn't have an iPod.

Once Apple solves the screen issues, I'll get one because I see the benefits.

I see the benefits too and would totally buy one! My point was just that Apple doesn't release bleeding edge tech unless it's ready for the average person's use and abuse. Current folding tech is a long way from that.

 

[verniesgarden]

my theory is the first foldable device will be a MacBook/iPad hybrid. Something like a just under MacBook Air size and virtual keyboard then lays flat for a large iPad form factor.

Macbook Studio

 

[darngooddesign]

I see the benefits too and would totally buy one! My point was just that Apple doesn't release bleeding edge tech unless it's ready for the average person's use and abuse. Current folding tech is a long way from that.

I agree. Apple doesn't have them luxury of releasing immature technology because as soon as anything happens they will get slapped with a 'something-gate' hashtag.

Landscape web browsing sucks on most phones, especially when he keyboard is visible; a double or triple-height screen would be great.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Solution in search of a problem.

An iPhone fold could be an iPad when you want/need the bigger screen and iPhone when you want/need pocket ability. Many things that make someone want both devices can be merged into a single device to use in either mode. THAT is the problem for which a foldable device like these solves.

• Carry ONE device for both jobs instead of TWO for when you may need "the other one."
• Buy ONE device to scratch both itches instead of buying two.
• Carry less weight around vs. carrying both a tablet and a phone that otherwise are almost the SAME functional device differing mostly by size of screen.

...all tangible "problems" that a foldable (or rollable) screen device readily solves.

There is currently no way to expand the width of an iPhone when you want to do something that works better or is more enjoyable on an iPad screen. (Sans very big pockets) There is no way to put an iPad in your pocket so you have it with you even when you are not actively using it.

Our Appleverse seems so locked in on some kind of concept of "protect our turf" phone form factor that we ridicule this every time, mostly revolving around that line. However, we did the same when Apple told us that 3.5" was the perfect screen size as competitors rolled out phablets... and again when Apple shifted "perfect" to 4". "We" had a dozen or so punches at phablets ranging from stupid/abominations, developer fragmentation, to "pants with bigger pockets" and "one handed use" WHILE Apple did not offer a phablet size phone. When Apple rolled out their phablets, all of that wall of phablet rips- which did include "solution in search of a problem" evaporated, almost overnight... replaced with "shut up and take my money", "best iPhone ever" and soon "how did we ever get by with those puny screen phones?"

Right now, we are in "protect our turf" mode again... ridiculing something different because Apple doesn't offer it yet. However, when the rumors start piling up about an Apple iFold... as we start believing Apple really is going to go there... the collective sentiment will moderate into "wait & see one in person" and "it's starting to kind of grow on me." When Apple takes the stage and introduces one, once again- as we do EVERY time- it will be "shut up and take my money", "best iPhone ever" and soon "how did we ever get by with those tiny-screen phones?"

Need another example? For YEARS, "we" have ripped the punch hole phone screen in defense of the "iconic", "I love the..." notch. As rumors pile up that Apple is about to go pill & hole, one can already see moderation in what was very passionate hatred(?) of it among some of that crowd. As more rumors pile up, I fully expect more moderation as more come to believe it may really happen. Should Apple take the stage and roll out a pill & hole phone, "shut up and take my money", "best iPhone ever" and soon, "how did we ever get by with that humongous notch eating up so much of the screen?"

This movie plays out the same EVERY time. Before Apple has something different, we hate it, it's stupid, gimmick, 99% don't need, etc. After Apple goes there it can become the main reason "we" are strongly pushing upgrades now. See NFC payments before Apple Pay, see front facing iSight camera NOT in iPad 1, etc. That list is LONG!

Personally, I use an iPad mini 6 as both principal iPad and Phone (celluar model with buds and a VOIP app). For my purposes, it is a terrific iPad and "iPhone" in ONE box with a much cheaper cost of 5G service. The one glaring advantage of iPhone vs. this to me is the ability to readily pocket iPhone. If I could basically fold this in half to pocket it, it would be- IMO- the perfect dual function mobile device.

Very tangible problem: not as "always with you" mobile (pocketable). Solution: iPad with cellular & Voip app that can fold down to about iPhone Phablet size. Best of both worlds IMO. I'd be first in line to buy that.

 

[darngooddesign]

With age comes the benefit of wisdom, or at least in the case of plastic screened devices having the experience of living through an age where phones and PDA’s had plastic covered screens that so easily scratched that you were lucky if they lasted a year of daily use - and that was back when we all were using these devices a fraction of the time that we’re on our devices today. And I don’t want to hear from people saying the UTG screens are far better - these micro-thin glass layers have to be covered with a plastic screen protector to keep them from scratching or getting damaged and just the UX of touching a screen that has give to it is a huge negative and a big reason why every manufacturer moved to solid glass screens for every device.

Those were resistive screens we had to poke with plastic sticks; not really the same as capacitive screens you can lightly press with your fingertips. Just like Gorilla Glass being stronger and more resistant to damage than regular glass, the materials used to protect a folding screen will improve. I have screen protectors on my iPhone and iPad and I have yet to damage them with my finger tips.

And don’t get me started with the hinge and the potential for damage. In the same way that manufacturers keep moving away from mechanical switches and buttons (due to the potential for failure), a hinge is a mechanical device that will fail - something you don’t have to worry about with a non-folding device. Apple isn’t going to resolve the issues related to the physics of glass or mechanical movement and they’re not going to risk jeopardizing their good reputation with a folding device that will no doubt make a lot of people mad when it doesn’t perform to expectation (expectations that a decade+ of iPhone use has created).

Some people are rough with their phones; if you are, buy a regular one.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Even though I try to be extremely careful and cognizant about the care of my iPhone, I live in a state that is basically a giant sandbar. I have enough trouble keeping sand, dirt, grit out of the area between the magnetic case and the body of the iPhone. I can’t image what that same debris would do to a display, if it were to be caught in the fold.

I likely live in the same sandbar state (I think there is just one) and if we are worried about our sand vs display in one tiny portion of such a screen, we should be as worried about sand in our pockets rubbing against the ENTIRE screen.

Similarly, many people- myself included- choose cases that basically have a lid of some type to flip open. In some ways, we already have a "fold." If sand getting caught between the lid and the screen caused a problem, it would be a full-screen problem for this type of customer too. I'd have a terrible time with this as my iDevice with this kind of case goes everywhere with me- including sandbar maximus- (the beach) where there are sand particles a plenty, salt spray in abundance and humidity to help both cling to anything.

Now, certainly, a little sand/dust/dirt/coins, screws, keys managing to get wedged right in the fold "groove" seems plausible. However, much as we deal with any such grit/grime now, I would expect a good puff of air and/or a careful wipe would eliminate the residue, even in the fold. If not, returns would be rampant for Sandbar state buyers of other company Fold phones now... probably to the point of them not being sold to- or recommended for- this state.

In short: plausible concern but I wouldn't worry much about it. If it was actually a big deal, it would be a big deal for folds already sold here, including our own MB hinges, etc. After a day at sandbar maximus, I do often have to give the screen a gentle wipe and all is as all was before I ventured there.

 

[Yebubbleman]

It's a cute gimmick AT BEST.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The MSRP of the Z-Fold is $1800USD, which is around the price of an iPhone Max and iPad mini.

Yes, so the MSRP of the Apple Fold will probably be around iPhone Max times 2.5... which will get a written wave of price shock/disgust/whine quickly followed by "first" (purchase) battles, "overwhelming demand driving delivery delays", "shut up and take my money", "how did we ever get buy with a puny 5-6.X" screen?" etc... then followed by more rounds of "record profits" and celebrations for Apple making more money than ever, heavily driven by a huge jump of average revenue per unit sold. "We" purchased $20 handkerchiefs completely out of stock for months as long as that piece of cloth was from Apple.

Soon those with iPhone Fold/Roll will be somewhat ridiculing the old form factor... and those trying to hold out will increasingly feel left behind and sell a few more organs to get one too.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

This whole idea of a foldable phone remains so unconvincingly superfluous to me... (similar to 3D TV sets..)
I bet before the obvious shortcomings are fully addressed some other disruption will come to make it almost useless..

I would rather have a 3D TV set than a foldable phone.

 

[blairh]

Only 3.5 more years of people saying the folding iPhone is unnecessary until they pre-order immediately after the September 2025 keynote.

 

[gsurf123]

You either keep moving forward or you end up getting left behind. The latter group includes RIM, Nokia, Microsoft , etc in the phone space.

 

[Phil77354]

Origami iPhone is what I'm waiting for!

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Yes, so the MSRP of the Apple Fold will probably be around iPhone Max times 2.5... which will get a written wave of price shock/disgust/whine quickly followed by "first" (purchase), "overwhelming demand", "shut up and take my money", "how did we ever get buy with a puny 5-6.X" screen?" etc... then followed by more rounds of "record profits" and celebrations for Apple making more money than ever heavily driven by a huge jump of average revenue per unit sold.

Soon those with will be somewhat ridiculing the old form factor... and those trying to hold out will increasingly feel left behind and sell a few more organs to get one too.

I have read this same rant way too many times already.

 

[jjudson]

Apple isn't going to release a folding phone until the hinge/screen tech is mature enough because no one cuts them slack like they do other companies. If Apple's foldable broke on launch day, like the the Z-Fold1 did, we would still be hearing about fold-gate.

👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆

This.

Which also means the tech will be mature enough to make sense...

 

[ninethirty]

An iPhone fold could be an iPad when you want/need the bigger screen and iPhone when you want/need pocket ability. Many things that make someone want both devices can be merged into a single device to use in either mode. THAT is the problem for which a foldable device likes these solves.

• Carry ONE device for both jobs instead of TWO for when you may need "the other one."
• Buy ONE device to scratch both itches instead of buying two.
• Carry less weight around vs. carrying both a tablet and a phone that otherwise are almost the SAME functional device differing mostly by size of screen.

...all tangible "problems" that a foldable (or rollable) screen device readily solves.

There is currently no way to expand the width of an iPhone when you want to do something that works better or is more enjoyable on an iPad screen. (Sans very big pockets) There is no way to put an iPad in your pocket so you have it with you even when you are not actively using it.

Our Appleverse seems so locked in on some kind of concept of "protect our turf" phone form factor that we ridicule this every time, mostly revolving around that line. However, we did the same when Apple told us that 3.5" was the perfect screen size as competitors rolled out phablets... and again when Apple shifted "perfect" to 4". "We" had a dozen or so punches at phablets ranging from stupid/abominations to "pants with bigger pockets" and "one handed use" WHILE Apple did not offer a phablet size phone. When Apple rolled out their phablets, all of that wall of phablet rips- which did include "solution in search of a problem" evaporated, almost overnight... replaced with "shut up and take my money", "best iPhone ever" and soon "how did we ever get by with those puny screen phones?"

Right now, we are in "protect our turf" mode again... ridiculing something different because Apple doesn't offer it yet. However, when the rumors start piling up about an Apple iFold... as we start believing Apple really is going to go there... the collective sentiment will moderate into "wait & see one in person" and "it's starting to kind of grow on me." When Apple takes the stage and introduces one, once again- as we do EVERY time- it will be "shut up and take my money", "best iPhone ever" and soon "how did we ever get by with those tiny-screen phones?"

Need another example: for YEARS, "we" have ripped the punch hole phone screen in defense of the "iconic", "I love the..." notch. As rumors pile up that Apple is about to go pill & hole, one can already see moderation in what was very passionate hatred(?) of it among some of that crowd. As more rumors pile up, I fully expect more moderation as more come to believe it may really happen. Should Apple take the stage and roll out a pill & hole phone, "shut up and take my money", "best iPhone ever" and soon, "how did we ever get by with that humongous notch eating up so much of the screen?"

This same movie plays out the same EVERY time. Before Apple has something different, we hate it, it's stupid, gimmick, 99% don't need, etc. After Apple goes there it can become the main reason "we" are strongly pushing upgrades now. See NFC payments before Apple Pay, see front facing iSight camera NOT in iPad 1, etc. That list is LONG!

Personally, I use an iPad mini 6 as both principal iPad and Phone (celluar model with buds and a VOIP app). For my purposes, it is a terrific iPad and "iPhone" in ONE box with a much cheaper cost of 5G service. The one glaring advantage of iPhone vs. this to me is the ability to readily pocket iPhone. If I could basically fold this in half to pocket it, it would be- IMO- the perfect dual function mobile device.

Very tangible problem: not as "always with you" mobile (pocketable). Solution: iPad with cellular & Voip app that can fold down to about iPhone Phablet size. Best of both worlds IMO. I'd be first in line to buy that.

Foldable phones do not enlarge to the size of an iPad. They currently what, double the size of your phone? Thickness too!

No thanks.

Also, re: notch, I didn't care for it originally, but I learned to be ok with it. I don't love it, it just is. I'm not opposed to pill and punch either, it's better, but even better would be nothing at all. That's whatever. Foldable phones aren't comparable at all. They currently, and for the conceivable future, offer absolutely nothing worth the trade off of trying to fit a brick in my pocket.

Foldable phones are a solution in search of a problem. It's a fad. "ooh, a screen that can bend/fold."

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Correct, they do not enlarge an iPad. The technology could make an iPad fold/roll down to be as pocketable as an iPhone though. At least to me, that seems highly attractive.

"We" seem so locked in on "protect our turf" (iPhone is perfect as is) that we readily ignore the very desirable benefit of having a bigger screen when one wants/needs it. I suggest anyone able to be objective flip the proposition. Instead of thinking about an iPhone Fold, imagine a foldable iPad. Instead of being abhorred by the concept of an iPhone having the flexibility to offer a bigger screen when desirable, imagine an iPad that can fold down to fit in your pocket like an iPhone Max. Can anyone see a benefit of a pocketable iPad? I certainly can.

Of course, someone could make a Tablet Fold product that folds open to double its size when one might want their tablet to size up to small TV/portable monitor. Maybe pack a Mac Mini and this hypothetical Tablet Fold in the bag to stand in for a laptop when one needs a whole computer and a tablet when one needs only a tablet?

This collective opinion is one to mark and revisit should Apple roll one out. The pile of stuff we can find WRONG with Folds now will seemingly no longer matter/apply when Apple starts pushing their own. It's the same EVERY time anyone else has something that Apple does not (yet). And the flip flop of seemingly very passionate group sentiment flips right with Apple deciding to adopt whatever it is. See:

• that original iPod rumor thread (overwhelming disgust/price shock/disbelief).
• iPad 1 with no iSight camera (followed by iPad 2 with iSight camera).
• NFC payments before Apple Pay.
• phablets while Apple still clung to 3.5" and then 4" "perfection" screens.
• 1080p Apple TV while Apple clung to 720p, then 4K while Apple clung to 1080p, and likely soon 8K while Apple clings to 4K.

And on and on. It's one of the most predictable aspects of the Appleverse: before Apple offers it, nobody needs it/gimmick/stupid/useless/etc. Apple rolls it out: shut up and take my money, best _____ ever, how did we ever get by without _____.

 

[ninethirty]

Correct, they do not enlarge an iPad. The technology could make an iPad fold/roll down to be as pocketable as an iPhone though.

"We" seem so locked in on "protect our turf" (iPhone is perfect as is) that we seem to readily ignore the very desirable benefit of having a bigger screen when one wants/needs it. I suggest anyone able to be objective flip the proposition. Instead of thinking about an iPhone Fold, imagine a foldable iPad. Instead of be abhorred by the concept of an iPhone having the flexibility to offer a bigger screen when desirable, imagine an iPad that can fold down to fit in your pocket like an iPhone Max. Can anyone see a benefit of a pocketable iPad. I certainly can.

Of course, someone could make a Tablet Fold product that folds open to double its size when one might want their tablet to size up to small TV/portable monitor. Maybe pack a Mac Mini and this hypothetical Tablet Fold in the bag to stand in for a laptop when one needs a whole computer and a tablet when one needs only a tablet?

I respect the opinion but this collective opinion is one to mark and revisit should Apple roll one out. The pile of stuff we can find WRONG with Folds now will seemingly no longer matter/apply when Apple starts pushing their own. It's the same EVERY time anyone else has something that Apple does not (yet). And the flip flop of seemingly very passionate group sentiment flips right with Apple deciding to adopt whatever it is.

If and when Apple makes some sort of foldable device that naturally fits into my life and solves problems I have, I'm not going to oppose that, but I can't think of any right now. Genuinely. I don't need my phone to turn into an iPad, and certainly not for any of the tradeoffs that would currently come with it.