Kuo: Apple Testing 9-Inch Foldable Device, but Foldable iPhone Unlikely Until 2025 or Later
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It still folds, and it's a larger form factor that folds into a smaller for factor.
Same tech.
DFZD
macrumors 65816
But if you recall my original statement. I was specifically taking about Fold devices that offer both smartphone and tablet experience. Flip series just offers a foldable smartphone experience. There is no large screen on offer, so its a device which although relatively affordable, has very little utility unless somebody really has small pockets.
It has a certain "cool" factor that some people just like and might see as a utility in itself. Based on your logic flip phones never really added a lot of utility over traditional phone factors and yet they dominated the market for a while.
*it's the same tech*.
I already explained why I like it and yes, I have a couple of pairs of pants that a 6.7 slab phone wont fit. It's also more protected in its folded state than a slab, no more screen scratches, not to mention some people like taking up less space in their pocket, even if the pocket is big. Even had a slab slide out of your pocket? Well, that wouldn't happen with a fold. That's a LOT of utility to me -- enough for me to switch to an android phone.
turbineseaplane
Contributor
'eh -- might be, but folding devices already are "a thing".
It's overwhelmingly likely that Apple has many devices/concepts in testing and I'd say it's over a 50% chance they'll release a foldable of some kind in the next few years.
Do I expect it to take over for all normal iPhones?
No way -- but I won't be surprised if a foldable is in the lineup for sure.
ninethirty
Suspended
No, it's a fact. Foldable phones don't solve any actual problems or limitations we have with phones.
That's cool, man. I'm sure Samsung will make them for another year or so before discontinuing them after Apple never makes one. Apple will never make one, and a few years from now we'll look back at how stupid this trend was.
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
It’s stupid to you but the foldable market is growing and people do want them. They are selling very well given the price it started at and should only keep growing over time.
aesc80
macrumors 68020
Oh noes! I think people who were looking forward to this fad will be very upset. At least they can keep saving up their money!
chaynes
macrumors newbie
Why a foldable anything? The difference in size is really negligible and you have to unfold it it to see what's up. I think Samsung does this junk because they can but it's to no purpose. Why should Apple follow suit? I really, really don't want a foldable phone.
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
chaynes
macrumors newbie
Couldn't be after he died I guess.
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
Err the size is a massive difference from a regular phone. Why exactly is it junk? Because apple doesn't have one yet? It's called having different technology. It's called bringing something new to market. It's not for everybody just like big phones and pro model devices aren't for everybody. One doesn't fit all
Just because you don't seem to want it doesn't mean others shouldn't have that same option. And Opening it up is hardly some long drawn out process
It doesn’t fold? Huh?
DanteHicks79
macrumors 6502a
Steve Jobs thought foldable phones would be the next big breakthrough in smartphone tech, but what the heck did he know?
He also thought that expandable/upgradable machines were the wrong direction, and fought against attempts to allow any ports on early Macs, at all.
He was entirely capable of being wrong at times.
Yup pretty negligible difference. S22 Ultra vs. Fold 3 unfolded.
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You see a foldable phone as a solution searching for a problem. I see the foldable phone as a new portable form factor that can unfold to have a much larger screen area for those who wants it.
It's no different than phablet trend that Samsung started. Otherwise, all of us will still be using 4.2 inch iPhones. It's also why Apple has 4 different iPhone sizes for the different preferences.
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ninethirty
Suspended
Solution in search of a problem.
What perceived problems do you think Samsung, Huawei, and Oppo are searching for? Why do you believe these "problems" are not real?
turbineseaplane
Contributor
No - just a solution to fit different needs and desires than you have.
Not every product needs to be for everyone.
ninethirty
Suspended
I think that companies that are used to taking their cues from Apple haven't got much to do, since Apple hasn't really done anything new, so they're throwing whatever they can at the wall to see what sticks.
Phones are a pretty perfect size as they are now, although I'd argue too large even when you think about the max. I work in usability and watching people try to reach interface elements using a single hand on phones that large is comical.
I truly don't believe there's that many people out there looking at their already giant phone and thinking "man, if only this thing could turn into a tablet so I could text message, or swipe right on a larger screen. On top of that, you aren't getting that larger screen without the tradeoff of having to fit a brick in your pocket. No thanks.
It's a fad, and the reason why Apple isn't rumored to even release one of these devices for years is because they clearly understand that the trade offs aren't worth it either, for probably little demand.
Personally I doubt that Apple is ever going to release a foldable phone. Let's let time tell.
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
seeing as millions are buying foldables I would say it's wrong to say people don't want to go this route. considering supply chain forecast is apple selling 20 million or around this number the demand will certainly be there for this product. Foldable market is really going from strength to strength and I'm sure apple are seeing how much it grows in the next few years to decide if they want to join it. apple are always way late to the party so I wouldn't dismiss them releasing one as predicted by Kuo.
as you say though time will tell.