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Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup
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Given Apple's new production execution as of late, I am fully expecting them to blow it and this will fail. Can't believe I'm saying that but I have negative expectations since AVP and Vision Pro.
I'm very keen on this, first Apple product I have been excited about in years. But my concern now is that it seems quite small when unfolded. I had hoped something like an iPad mini, but it looks small compared to the iPad mini and other foldables.
An iPhone dedicated to cargo pants users.
Neither does Tim and maybe that’s why he’s leaving next year.
The least we can say is that this phone is disruptive if this form factor is used … I want a fold but I am not sure I want this fold especially if it’s lacking of a pencil. A third camera for this price would be essential too …
Looks like you get a phone with a screen that's either too small or too big.
And twice as thick.
This won't feel good in the pocket.
Pass.
And twice as thick.
This won't feel good in the pocket.
Pass.
This is also what I thought OC was talking about, but I did deduce they are suggesting the floppification of iPhone Fold would be 10 times worse than the flopperation of iPhone Air.
Very good video. Nice to see the 3d printed mockup along with Samsung Z Fold. Looks much smaller. Overall looks like it will be a disappointment with smaller screen, no telephoto lens and no FaceID. Also with the price going to be higher than Z Fold, not sure how well it will sell.
That’s literally 2x Air price. 10x would be 10k and I agree that’s be too much.
I agree. I’m excited to give it a try. And in this form factor it looks actually useful. Small phone / display for the go. And big iPad display when you need it (eg youtube)
I think the big reason the Air flopped is entirely price and the rest of the 17 lineup.
Vs. the iphone 17 base it just doesn’t offer enough to justify the price. I’m sorry but it’s simply not worth 1.3x the price.
Those who want to spend that much on a phone will go for the Pro or Pro max for the way better cameras, etc.
I'm not sure the video needed to be 10 minutes long, but anyway.
I'm not convinced about folding phones. Durability aside, they look to be rather awkward to hold and use.
I'm not convinced about folding phones. Durability aside, they look to be rather awkward to hold and use.
If this thing is more than $1600 without a “Pro” camera system, then it’s essentially dead in the water for me. Two reasons:
I want the best and for me that mostly means camera. Not having telephoto is a dealbreaker at this time and price point.
If this thing is going to be this strange form factor where it’s actually smaller than an iPad mini and all Android foldables, then they can’t charge more than $1600 IMO and still expect it to sell well after the initial demand wears off. Especially if it ends of having other trade offs like durability, overall thickness, battery life, and limited water resistance.
Otherwise I may get one eventually, but only once they work out more of the likely trade offs, add the telephoto, and offer some kind of three or four year iPhone Upgrade Program for these crazy $2000 phones because two years is too short for upgrading that. We’ll see what they offer but I doubt they’ll get me to buy one before 2030.
I want the best and for me that mostly means camera. Not having telephoto is a dealbreaker at this time and price point.
If this thing is going to be this strange form factor where it’s actually smaller than an iPad mini and all Android foldables, then they can’t charge more than $1600 IMO and still expect it to sell well after the initial demand wears off. Especially if it ends of having other trade offs like durability, overall thickness, battery life, and limited water resistance.
Otherwise I may get one eventually, but only once they work out more of the likely trade offs, add the telephoto, and offer some kind of three or four year iPhone Upgrade Program for these crazy $2000 phones because two years is too short for upgrading that. We’ll see what they offer but I doubt they’ll get me to buy one before 2030.
The mock-up does look like a wallet and a small notebook. This design is great for some who like it and love Apple. It is not for me as I like bigger display like Pro Max size when the foldable is folded. Hence, it cements my decision to pursue Samsung Trifold which folded display is close to Pro Max and the unfolded one is similar to regular 10” iPad. Thanks to Apple to make my decision so easy!! Good for those who like small and wide phone design!
People comment like this is what it will actually look like. First off, this mockup is based on 17 Pro look, even though it’s glaringly obvious it will be based on the look of the Air. The actual product will be much slicker than this mockup.
In terms of software, I will bet it will support fullscreen iPad apps when open, but not actually run iPad OS. Meaning, no multitasking, no external monitor stuff and no pencil or mouse support.
Similar to how MacOS can run iPad apps, but probably without the requirement for developers to enable it.
In other words, there will still be a difference between using an iPhone Fold and an iPad Mini, even though the size is the same.
In terms of software, I will bet it will support fullscreen iPad apps when open, but not actually run iPad OS. Meaning, no multitasking, no external monitor stuff and no pencil or mouse support.
Similar to how MacOS can run iPad apps, but probably without the requirement for developers to enable it.
In other words, there will still be a difference between using an iPhone Fold and an iPad Mini, even though the size is the same.
…Apple doesn’t merely make products for most users with modest use cases that represent most and never will:
Increasingly more ideal and advanced form factors beneficial for devs, prosumers, entered users, and so on are the early adopters of their highest end products never intended for most.
Nothing wrong doing that strategically in addition to low-end products adequate and passable for most
Well all the "apple doesn't do anything new" crowd will have something to complain about come September. Endless topics here about the durability of the fold, and cost of the device ( rumored to be 2K and up), and buyers remorse topics will be the major ones I see.
