Kuo: Apple Testing 9-Inch Foldable Device, but Foldable iPhone Unlikely Until 2025 or Later

[inkswamp]

Will be the same routine here..

The sycophants dogging it right up until Apple does it and makes a great one..

Then it's all the sudden "game changing" and "I could never go back" and "Apple does it again!!"

What you're missing is that a company like Samsung shows off the technology as if it's an answer to some pressing need for everyone all on its own, by the very fact that it exists. Apple will take that idea and actually implement it in a way that either solves an actual problem or creates such a compelling case for the use of the technology that people will rightfully say it's game changing.

Music players existed before the iPod. Phones existed before the iPhone. You really don't see the difference in what Apple does that makes their implementation of these ideas something you could "never go back" for? Seems like a no-brainer to me, but maybe it's not so obvious.

 

[turbineseaplane]

You really don't see the difference in what Apple does that makes their implementation

I absolutely do!

A foldable device will be awesome when done up to standards of a company like Apple.
I even think the devices so far are pretty good (have used a few in stores)

I'm commenting about folks who are claiming that "foldable are a fad" - "just like 3DTV", "I don't want a folding phone!", etc

 

[tgwaste]

Only 3.5 more years of people on this site making comments about how they don’t want this until they see the keynote and immediately pre-order.

Whos saying that? I cant wait for this.

 

[blairh]

Whos saying that? I cant wait for this.

Read the comments on this post and any other folding iPhone post on MR.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Carry something around all day that's twice as heavy and twice as thick as it needs to be so that when I get home I can open it out into an iPad instead of just reaching for my iPad. I can see the appeal for some, but for me I can think of a million things I'd rather spend my money on.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Remember 3D tvs? They were being massively hyped - and nobody bought. How many 3D tvs do you see on the market now?

I know this isn't really your point, but I have to pass comment anyway and momentarily go off topic. Sadly, LG actually pretty much perfected 3D with their passive OLED sets, but then discontinued them due to lack of demand thanks to years of substandard technology and declining interest. Being passive, there was zero crosstalk and virtually no loss of brightness. And being 2160p panels they were able to upscale sufficiently to somewhat regain the resolution normally lost with passive tech. At the time they were axed, they were arguably the holy grail of 3D. Retail 3D Blu-rays looked absolutely stunning with none of the typical drawbacks of active or previously available passive sets. Then they were gone. A crying shame.

ETA: Unfortunately this generation of LG's early OLED panels were also very susceptible to serious age related degradation, resulting in disastrous greyscale uniformity problems, near black blooming, vertical banding and DSE. Anyone who still has one of these sets and likes their 3D content should look after it with kid gloves, because it likely won't last much past 5 years before it's end of life. Certainly not if it's used regularly, anyway.

As you were...

 

[The Game 161]

Too far away to really talk about at this stage but would love to see this.

 

[The Game 161]

ZERO interest in foldable. not practical at all. imagine dropping one. yikes. Foldable iPad however would be nice

Rather simple don’t drop it

 

[Rychiar]

Rather simple don’t drop it

good luck with that. everyones fumbled a phone or had it fall out of a pocket at least a few times in its life. at least with a non foldable one the case can protect it

 

[Rychiar]

An iPhone with front and back glass and 3 exposed camera lenses? Imagine dropping one, yikes.

The latest gen of the Galaxy foldable a have proven very durable already.

a $10 case makes the current iPhone nearly indestructible from simple drops. mine falls on concrete with a spigen case at work plenty and the phone is flawless. plus its not $2000+ like a galaxy which is absurd for a phone

 

[Rychiar]

Well that's the idea, isn't it? Invent an iPhone that magically turns into an iPad, you'll have my attention. Short of that, no.

I wouldn't even want that. that would be a cumbersome device to carry around and hold . my iPad doesnt leave my house. I'd rather have an iPad that opens up like a laptop

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not.
Everything.
Is.
For.
Everyone.

 

[mcarland]

Call me a crusty old codger, but I don't get the whole foldable screen thing.

Now get off my porch.

 

[Wildkraut]

Call me a crusty old codger, but I don't get the whole foldable screen thing.

Now get off my porch.

Maybe they are planning to release an iPhoad?!
Unfold an iPhone to iPad… 🤣

 

[mcarland]

Maybe they are planning to release an iPhoad?!
Unfold an iPhone to iPad… ?

Unfold it again into a MacBook?

 

[Wildkraut]

Unfold it again into a MacBook?

Nah to an AirTag!

 

[ocnitsa]

I’m just a little surprised folks think: Apple will do this exactly like everyone else, will not think about functionality if it’s closed, will use shoddy hardware, jumped on board with this because they consider it a gimmick. If Apple commits, it will be because they believe they have a device that will entice more folks to find it compelling than just first adopters who put up with such things.

 

[AppleHore]

Is anybody a buyer on this foldable thing? I just really don't care, and that's what I'm getting from a lot of other people. The experience of typing on a virtual iPad keyboard with no tactile sensation is just so awful for me that I can't see it ever working. I really like how Apple has stuck with the physical keys despite all of the iterations of switches and the glaring problems with greasy fingerprints, crumbs, etc. I wish there was some way to just dispose of the nasty keyboards over time though without it being a major repair. It'd be great if the keyboard was hot swappable and could be taken out of the machine, sanitized, and replaced if needed. I love the idea of modularity rather than thinness. I don't care about a little bulk. You know? It's a laptop. As long as it's not gargantuan, who needs it to be paper thin?

 

[Abazigal]

But people on here told me that Apple would never copy Samsung

And it’s a hill I am prepared to die on. A foldable phone is a fundamentally flawed design and I really don’t see Apple release one.

 

[maxoakland]

I don’t feel the need to have a foldable device of my own but they sure look cool! The problem is they’re usually much thicker than a non-foldable

 

[Jim Lahey]

Unfold it again into a MacBook?

And again into an 88” TV.

 

[Premium1]

Not sure what the point of foldable devices are? They are ridiculously expensive and super fragile.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Apple usually waits to see how new products like foldable phones do in the market before they do it better. Foldable phones from Samsung & others have had major issues. Creasing. Dirt in the hinges Etc. The technology is just not ready for primetime. I don’t think Apple will do a foldable iphone anytime soon, if at all. So I wouldn’t hold your breath.

 

[Johns12]

Are those saying they don't want one is because, they see no use for it, which shouldn't matter because you don't have to buy it,or, they are afraid that if Apple does it, it will be the top of line with the best specs and they'll have to get it for the best camera, etc. Or (sorry for the inmproper grammer) because they have zero imagination?

This and all forums are littered with nay sayers about all newish tech. 3d tv's do not fit this description. They required a pile of money to get, and for you to sit in your house with special glasses on. The tech was great but hard to get any kind of broad appeal.

 

[tridley68]

Not in the least bit interested in this gimmick