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

[Abazigal]

Remember when phablets were called a gimmick by Apple fans until Apple finally released one (a few years later than Samsung).

I will bite.

Yes, Samsung did pioneer the concept of the phablet, and what else have they revolutionised afterwards? The galaxy fold feels like the Edge display (an example of a design trend that never did catch on) more than the Note. It seems like this one example is constantly being held up to deflect any criticism that Samsung may well be on the wrong path there. It's like how in a test, Apple got 9 out of 10 questions right, and they are being roasted for getting that one question right. Whereas Samsung got 9 out of 10 questions wrong, and everyone is cheering that Samsung at least got one question correct.

This is precisely what is happening here. Whatever ridiculous concept Samsung is putting forth, people will dig out the old Galaxy Note incident and go "Aha, Samsung got it right once upon a time, they just might get it right again", and it often feels like tech journalists are also mindful of this and it affects their willingness to criticise Samsung products in any objective light.

There is like practically no bar for Samsung to clear here, and the ridiculous grading of Apple on a curve could not be any more blatant here. I said this when Samsung first unveiled the Galaxy Fold back in 2019, and this is still the hill I am willing to die on. Samsung’s vision is way off, they are placing the wrong bets in my view (by choosing to prioritise folding phones over wearables) and it’s going to come back to hurt them in the next couple of years.

Samsung has no ecosystem to speak of (which in turn hampers their ability to offer cohesive experiences like getting developers to support dual screens). I personally feel that they peaked right before Apple unveiled larger iPhones (which is probably why everyone keeps harping on how Samsung was the one to popularise larger phones, because there's nothing else to boast about), and I just don't see any coherent vision of the future from their keynotes.

This isn't just about me not having to buy a product which I don't think is for me. The fold is simply a flawed design. It's as simple as that.

 

[44267547]

2025 sounds logical. There’s so much that needs to happen in terms of lining up manufacturers/part suppliers will be the major hurdle, it’ll probably be a very small, niche category, however; when Apple does released their ‘foldable’, I suspect they have been studying this market to determine what can they do to be different that not only makes the device productive, but eliminates the drawbacks.

 

[Jim Lahey]

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.

To be fair, if people don’t like the idea or can’t see it working they’re entitled to say so. It’s an open discussion forum where folk share their views and opinions. I don’t see anyone telling others never to buy one. You’re basically saying no one can comment unless their views align with your own? ?

 

[Daimaou]

I'm not opposed to Apple releasing folding devices, but having used Samsung's folding phone, there is no way I would ever buy something like this.

 

[Brandon916]

No, thank you.

I’m not interested in foldable iPhones anymore. Never have and never will. Let Samsung keep its foldable smartphone crown.

Until Apple makes it. Rinse and repeat. Apple fan didn't want oled, didn't want large screen, didn't want widget, etc... until Apple copied Samsung.

 

[ninethirty]

No, thank you.

I’m not interested in foldable iPhones anymore. Never have and never will. Let Samsung keep its foldable smartphone crown.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Foldable phones are a solution in search of a problem.

My guess is that by 2025 this fad will be over with anyway, and we'll never see a foldable phone from Apple.

 

[Denzo]

Not coming back to Apple until they have a fordable or slide iPhone. My Zflip 3 is so much better to use as a daily. Fits in my pocket to start with.

 

[Smearbrick]

No, thank you.

I’m not interested in foldable iPhones anymore. Never have and never will. Let Samsung keep its foldable smartphone crown.

I’m sure Apple will take this into consideration. Heck, they may shut down development because of this comment. Thanks for your continued support!

 

[The Game 161]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Foldable phones are a solution in search of a problem.

My guess is that by 2025 this fad will be over with anyway, and we'll never see a foldable phone from Apple.

Given the millions that Foldables are selling the volume is only going to get higher. Slab phones are becoming boring and the Foldables being something different to market should only get more interest

 

[Smearbrick]

Yay, a big obvious mechanical failure point. No thanks.

I like being able to pull out my phone and just use it, without having to unfold anything. I'm not sure what the benefit would be; it's one more thing to wear out, debris could get inside and crack the screen when you fold it, etc.

Apple spent the last decade getting rid of mechanical parts that wear out; why would they bring that back?

Like the big glass screen on the iPhone that everyone said would crack at the first drop. And how much of a pain it would be… and how worthless such a device could be.

Naysayers… the world is better off without them.

 

[Cel186]

I would be quite interested. Small phone, small tablet. I am saying this as a guy with both an iPhone mini and an iPad mini.

 

[Karma*Police]

Foldable phones are little more than a gimmick, like 3D tvs. Remember 3D tvs? They were being massively hyped - and nobody bought. How many 3D tvs do you see on the market now?

Not even Android folk are really all that excited about foldables. If they were, you'd see them everywhere.

Maybe instead of making foldable devices, Apple can focus on releasing iOS versions that don't require a zillion patches and updates to deliver the functionality promised at launch?

Steve Jobs thought foldable phones would be the next big breakthrough in smartphone tech, but what the heck did he know?

 

[Johns12]

To be fair, if people don’t like the idea or can’t see it working they’re entitled to say so. It’s an open discussion forum where folk share their views and opinions. I don’t see anyone telling others never to buy one. You’re basically saying no one can comment unless their views align with your own? ?

No desire to limit anyone from giving their opinion from me. My question was really just saying, If you don't like it, don't buy it. I don't see the need for digital watches. What I've done is very simple, I don't own one. I may change my mind, who knows. Many of the people who say no, are saying an emphatic no, even though it may never affect them. Just don't buy it. If you're worried about it becoming the only form factor, like large phones and those wanting smaller ones but having little choice, Then you would have been wrong in it being a solution searching for a problem. I don't mean you specifically.

 

[FasterQuieter]

I don’t get it at all. You are adding the new step of unfolding to every use, so you can have a weird square shaped screen with a fold in the middle. Movies would become marginally bigger perhaps, but the black bars would be ludicrous. Apps like Twitter wouldn’t benefit much. I suppose you could see desktop versions of websites, but they’d be small. If some law were created that decreed each citizen will only be allowed one computing device, then I can see it. As this thing will cost a fortune though, surely it’s better to own a phone shaped phone plus an iPad/laptop.

 

[LonestarOne]

If Apple rolls out a foldable/rollable/(goggles/glasses) virtual mobile, this crowd would immediately flip to gushing & heaping PRAISE upon it. It is the most predicable speculation on a rumor site: let Apple endorse anything new and the most passionate bashers of whatever it is prior to that day will magically flip into evangelists for it going forward

It’s not like this site is filled with constant, non-stop complaining about the notches, chins, fan noise, monitor stands, even polishing cloths, is it? Nothing but evangelists here?

I wonder what rumor sites you read.

 

[AJ Mac25]

Apple is testing a device with a 9-inch foldable display, but the company's long-rumored foldable iPhone is unlikely to launch until 2025 or later, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

On Twitter, Kuo said that Apple is "actively testing" a device with a 9-inch foldable OLED display and a PPI somewhere between the iPhone and the iPad. This device is purportedly being used to evaluate and verify the key technologies involved in Apple's foldable, and may not feature the specifications of any final retail product.

Kuo believes that Apple's foldable product development is initially focusing on medium-sized devices, followed by devices with larger displays, before finally expanding to small devices like the iPhone.

Kuo also revised his prediction from last year that claimed that Apple will launch its foldable iPhone as soon as 2024, explaining that it is now clear that this prediction needs to be revised to 2025 at the earliest. He added that Apple's first foldable device may be a hybrid iPhone and iPad, or simply a foldable iPad.

Kuo's comments come in response to a report from the The Elec, which claimed that Apple is collaborating with LG to develop a foldable OLED display panel with ultra-thin cover glass for future Apple tablets and notebooks. In February, display analyst Ross Young ignited rumors about Apple working on large foldable devices, explaining that the company is exploring all-screen foldable notebooks with displays around 20-inches in size.

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

Ok, my big question is “Why does anyone want one of these?” The tech is cool, but now I have a thick device in my pocket instead of a long device. I just don’t get it. Sorry, I came from the flip phone age and do not want to go back. What am I missing?

 

[jamface]

Apple taking Bend Gate to a whole new level.

Stiffgate

 

[jamface]

Ok, my big question is “Why does anyone want one of these?” The tech is cool, but now I have a thick device in my pocket instead of a long device. I just don’t get it. Sorry, I came from the flip phone age and do not want to go back. What am I missing?

Is that a thick and long device in your pocket or are you just not pleased to see Apple possibly releasing a foldable phone?

 

[Jim Lahey]

No desire to limit anyone from giving their opinion from me. My question was really just saying, If you don't like it, don't buy it. I don't see the need for digital watches. What I've done is very simple, I don't own one. I may change my mind, who knows. Many of the people who say no, are saying an emphatic no, even though it may never affect them. Just don't buy it. If you're worried about it becoming the only form factor, like large phones and those wanting smaller ones but having little choice, Then you would have been wrong in it being a solution searching for a problem. I don't mean you specifically.

Hmmm. I guess so, but it's fairly obvious that those who are negative about it won't buy it. Doesn't mean they shouldn't air their opinion. If I don't like a movie I will tell people in conversation. They don't say "Well don't watch it then." Not the best analogy but hopefully the point is clear. People critique things. Especially on the internet. Seems fair enough to me.

 

[jamface]

Jobs was on about such a device at one stage. I think it was before he died. Pretty sure they’ve been testing this out for a decade waiting for the tech to mature and if it does will release something and if it doesn’t wont. But sure turn into an a vs b.

Yeah he’s been pretty quiet on the subject since he died…

 

[44267547]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Foldable phones are a solution in search of a problem.

Just because you say something multiple times, doesn’t make it factual. Unless your a design engineer that works direct under Apple, then you couldn’t possibly know the tangible benefits that they may capitalize on the weaknesses from other foldable devices, given Apple’s likely been studying to create a user experience that’s practical, but without the inherent flaws.

Why don’t we just wait to see what happens, versus making insinuations.

 

[The Game 161]

Steve Jobs thought foldable phones would be the next big breakthrough in smartphone tech, but what the heck did he know?

He was very wrong as he thought large screen were bad too

 

[Sodium Chloride]

If only Apple made an foldable iPad like this, I would have bought it:

Zenbook 17 Fold OLED UX9702ï½Laptops For Homeï½ASUS Global

Premium 17" foldable laptop with 4:3 2.5K OLED HDR PANTONE Validated display, 100% DCI-P3 gamut, 12th Gen Intel Core processors

www.asus.com

The current 12.9” iPad is big enough to read one-page document but to read a two-pages document side by side, 12.9” is too small. 17” foldable iPad would be much better.

 

[TVreporter]

but now I have a thick device in my pocket instead of a long device. I just don’t get it.

that’s what she said

 

[d686546s]

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.

You're right that iPhone thrived because it provided a compelling implementation of things that came before, but the fact that it solved "an actual problem" is very much hindsight. It's pretty straightforward now to carry a device that is a phone, a media player, a messenger, a camera, an internet browser, a satnav etc etc rather than multiple devices. In the early 00s that was a whole different story and the internet at the time was full of people who would have filled pages on how the smartphone is a bad idea, how it's too clunky, the tech awful, too fragile, too heavy and so on and so forth. Most people, including me most of the time, simply lack the vision to see beyond what is currently possible.

Personally I wouldn't buy a foldable right now, just as I didn't buy early pre-iPhone touchscreen devices. I do agree that we're not quite there yet. But I don't think it's too difficult to see the possibilities of a device that can give me screen real estate when I want to read a book or browse the web and then fold or roll into something more pocketable when I don't need it. Make it thinner, more resilient, longer lasting and optimise the software.

The possibilities and "problems" are there, even now, and while Samsung's implementation doesn't seem to be quite there yet, I think it's better than you probably give it credit for. I don't think the future will be all foldable, but I'd be very surprised if they didn't take a sizeable part of the market over the next 10 years.