'iPhone Fold' Arrival Expected to Cement Book-Style Era for Foldables

[Warped9]

They’re trying to push foldable phones like 3D tv.

Could be. Most markets hit a saturation point wherein growth or interest tapers off. When flatscreen television came out 25 years ago most everyone rushed to get one, but after a few years the spurt tapered off as most had already made the transition. Then it was 1080p then 3D and ever bigger panels then 2K then 4K then whatever to boost sales. With smartphones incremental changes and features are hyped as “must haves” to keep the frequent upgrade purchases growing.

There is obviously a market for foldable phones, but how big is the question. Current phones are now essentially mature tech and foldability is adding complexity to a device that doesn’t really need it, but the novelty could have appeal.

I have zero interest in a foldable device as I appreciate the simplicity and cleanliness of the current configuration, but thats me. A foldable screen might or might not have the visible crease issue solved, but it still introduces a structural weak point susceptible to breakage. And you can bet on some of these breaking given how many people manage to wreck current phones through misuse and carelessness.

 

[Baseiseough]

They’re trying to push foldable phones like 3D tv. Yeah no thanks, I don’t like moving parts on phones.

There were no moving parts on 3D tv. Maybe moving parts sell better! 🤪

 

[terminator-jq]

It makes complete sense especially when you consider that the foldable market in Asia has done much better than western territories. The iPhone fold could bring the “Apple effect” to spark more foldable adoption across all devices in all areas.

Of course the big concerns will be price, durability of the inner display / hinge and the tradeoffs from the Pro Max line. In fact, the iPhone 15, 16 and especially 17 pro max models have all been very well done. Apple will need a very strong offering to get Pro Max users to switch.

 

[Boeingfan]

So whilst it’s unfolded and someone rings, you’ll have an iPad mini style square of glass against the side of your head? Do you have to unfold it to talk on it? Will you have to unfold it every time to check the time or messages on the lock screen?

 

[Palliser]

Again, who is asking for this device. The Air was supposedly “asked for” and look how that’s gone.

 

[ForkHandles]

I’ve always wondered why they never put phone technology into iPads and MacBooks.

Surely an easy ‘In’ to this market would have been to make iPad mini a phone too. Gauge how many folk really wanted a big screen when they are mobile, and go from there. Instead they left their phone app as iPhone only.

 

[ab2c4]

Hard pass for me. I never liked using tablets even though I tried a few and this is nothing more than a folding ipad mini. It might be great for ipad mini users if they can afford this.

 

[digimc]

Again, who is asking for this device. The Air was supposedly “asked for” and look how that’s gone.

But that’s what people on MR are always screaming that Apple doesn’t innovate any more and they just release the same old stuff every year. Then when Apple brings something new to their product lines people say “no one was asking for this”.

It seems that despite what so many people might say, they are more so creatures of habit when it comes to new stuff.

Isn’t that the whole idea of innovation? Bringing something to the market that nobody was asking for or thought they needed? I guess I am confused as to what Apple should be doing.

 

[erihp]

flip not fold please

 

[rbbloom99]

If Apple can pull it off (remember butterfly keys) it will be a nice addition to the iPhone line. I'm a early adopter and would have bought it 10 year ago But my iPhone 15pro is bulletproof and is a pretty good phone that I can drop without damage. Opps, dropped it again

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Coworker showed me his new galaxy fold yesterday, and it's the first time I've held and tried one out. It was interesting, but didn't feel very rugged, which is kinda important with phones for me. I tend to use my stuff in some unforgiving environments. Anyway, he moved from either a 15 or 16 Pro Max and Apple watch, to the Fold and a Galaxy watch, and was quite happy with the switch. It's his first Android device. Asked if he was going to go back if/when Apple releases a fold and he said "naa". He liked the customization of Android, hates iOS 26/Liquid Glass, and was tried of Apple "blowing smoke up his ass".

While it was cool to check out, I don't personally see myself getting on this train. I don't need or want to carry more screen with me. Might be interesting a flip-style foldable, though.

I potentially will follow your co-worker footsteps to change side when the Samsung Trifold is released. Apple iFold 5.5 inches when folded is too small compared to the 6.5 inches trifold when folded. 1 inch difference is a “big” deal because I am using 17 pro max now. It looks inevitable for me to switch to have the 6.5 inches phone with 10 inches tablet capable transformation that can be put in my pocket with cameras offered better than iFold forecast. Samsung does a great job in this scenario.

 

[rbbloom99]

if the price is reasonable then it is possible

Probably comes in at $2990. Reasonable is in the eye of the beholder's wallet.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I think a lot of people are missing the point of this post. It's not about foldables in general, just about the book form factor becoming the dominant one vs the flip style.

As the only point the article seems to actually be making, I believe that to be 100% true.

 

[rbbloom99]

Coworker showed me his new galaxy fold yesterday, and it's the first time I've held and tried one out. It was interesting, but didn't feel very rugged,

I played around with Samsung fold in Bangkok mall (maybe it was a Galaxy). Anyhow it was fun, great, wonderful and then I put it down and didn't look back. Form follows Function.

 

[rbbloom99]

flip not fold please

It is a big difference. Article is about the 'fold'. I'd buy a flip.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I potentially will follow your co-worker footsteps to change side when the Samsung Trifold is released. Apple iFold 5.5 inches when folded is too small compared to the 6.5 inches trifold when folded. 1 inch difference is a “big” deal because I am using 17 pro max now. It looks inevitable for me to switch to have the 6.5 inches phone with 10 inches tablet capable transformation that can be put in my pocket with cameras offered better than iFold forecast. Samsung does a great job in this scenario.

I too have a Pro Max. But it's not just the screen size that stops it being useful for bigger tasks, it's the software.

I would rather have a phone that's designed to be a big screen phone than a device that's not quite a tablet but bigger than a phone.

For me I feel like the dividing line is phone vs proper computer. I just don't see what the advantage of a folding phone that turns into a tablet is. Seems better to have two devices that each do one category very well.

 

[MacOH21]

It'll be two iPhone Air's put side by side. The iPhone Air is the proof of concept from a design and manufacturing standpoint. Next is the foldable screen and hinge.

 

[Dfor83]

So whilst it’s unfolded and someone rings, you’ll have an iPad mini style square of glass against the side of your head? Do you have to unfold it to talk on it? Will you have to unfold it every time to check the time or messages on the lock screen?

No just like any other fold

 

[nfl46]

It’s about time. Let’s f go! Jeez.

 

[Dfor83]

Again, who is asking for this device. The Air was supposedly “asked for” and look how that’s gone.

Plenty of people otherwise there wouldn’t be a market of other androids with folding phones.

 

[leonremi]

It won't matter much.

Foldables are silly, but Apple probably determined there is a small profitable niche market (plus it maybe looks bad not having an offer in this space).

This is finance/marketing decision. Nothing earth shattering, I assure you.

The tech will be mostly Samsung rebranded with a few Apple magic words sprinkled throughout (a slightly better hinge maybe, or a supposedly more scratch resistant screen, or whatever).

Sotftware wise, we are probably looking at a franken-version of iOS skinned on the inside to look like iPad OS (shouldn't be too hard, the 2 OS are close cousins.

So yeah , Apple Foldable, whatever.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Coworker showed me his new galaxy fold yesterday, and it's the first time I've held and tried one out. It was interesting, but didn't feel very rugged, which is kinda important with phones for me. I tend to use my stuff in some unforgiving environments. Anyway, he moved from either a 15 or 16 Pro Max and Apple watch, to the Fold and a Galaxy watch, and was quite happy with the switch. It's his first Android device. Asked if he was going to go back if/when Apple releases a fold and he said "naa". He liked the customization of Android, hates iOS 26/Liquid Glass, and was tried of Apple "blowing smoke up his ass".

While it was cool to check out, I don't personally see myself getting on this train. I don't need or want to carry more screen with me. Might be interesting a flip-style foldable, though.

A flip-style makes less sense as it's less useful. Some people will continue to prefer slab phones.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

It won't matter much.

Foldables are silly, but Apple probably determined there is a small profitable niche market (plus it maybe looks bad not having an offer in this space).

This is finance/marketing decision. Nothing earth shattering, I assure you.

The tech will be mostly Samsung rebranded with a few Apple magic words sprinkled throughout (a slightly better hinge maybe, or a supposedly more scratch resistant screen, or whatever).

Sotftware wise, we are probably looking at a franken-version of iOS skinned on the inside to look like iPad OS (shouldn't be too hard, the 2 OS are close cousins.

So yeah , Apple Foldable, whatever.

You can tell people all you want. The device doesn't exist yet and will be judged when it arrives.

 

[contacos]

I personally cannot wait for an iPhone version of this 🙏🏼 I can't go back to a basic phone anymore. I only the iPhone for photos.

 

[contacos]

So whilst it’s unfolded and someone rings, you’ll have an iPad mini style square of glass against the side of your head? Do you have to unfold it to talk on it? Will you have to unfold it every time to check the time or messages on the lock screen?

Lol ... It has 3 screens 🫣 no need to do any of that