The danger is it will fall into the “‘jack of all trades / master of none” category. They’ll have to give us true iPad functionality with an Apple Pencil plus a couple of other killer features for it to work…
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Kuo: iPhone Fold Production Challenges Could Limit Supply Next Year
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Like always time will tell, but given Apple’s track record recently, I can understand your pessimism. A high price plus missing features that the significantly cheaper 18 Pro/18 Pro Max has could potentially be a recipe for disaster like what we see currently happening with the Air.
The final design and component choices for the "said hinge" are finalized months ago with most likely multiple variant prototypes. This will sell out immediately if its priced anywhere between £1,800 to £2,499, I myself have been tempted with the Fold 7 however but my preference preferring iOS to Android and being in the Apple ecosystem held me back from trying a fold. Fingers crossed it is at least announced in September even for a late release like the iPhone X back in the day.
Though it looks cute, I may not be interested in it. I tried Z Fold various versions and I felt the crease was very evident, there was no IP68 protection, hinge malfunction, downgraded camera system, I use cases for my mobiles along with screen protectors - with the foldable I feel it will make the entire slab very big and not very convenient to operate in certain scenarios. Besides, as I have mentioned earlier, I have seen my niece with many Z fold editions with broken screens. He says, the screen invariably breaks with heavy use and you need to pay very very huge money to fix it.
Also, the processor of this iPhone Fold may not be that of Mac Book Pro (M5 Max) instead it may be Axx Pro edition which may not be great for potentially a very expensive mobile/foldable one.
Logically, I should not be even thinking about getting this one if I go by my parameters but the only thing that will prevent me from buying is its HUGE Price. I would thank Apple if they make the price even higher and make it impossible for me to buy so that I can keep my senses in balance.
Also, the processor of this iPhone Fold may not be that of Mac Book Pro (M5 Max) instead it may be Axx Pro edition which may not be great for potentially a very expensive mobile/foldable one.
Logically, I should not be even thinking about getting this one if I go by my parameters but the only thing that will prevent me from buying is its HUGE Price. I would thank Apple if they make the price even higher and make it impossible for me to buy so that I can keep my senses in balance.
Very valid point. But Apple first few iterations going to be limited and hence there may be many compromises on these aspects. There are too many cross-over stuff need to be considered during design stage of the future expansions in mind. Company like Apple cannot afford to antagonise accessory makers who will invest heavily on many accessories that need to be compatible for at least 3 iterations for them to make some profit. On top of that with iPhone functions, iPad functions, Best Camera, Best Graphics, Best Processor (M5 Max?), foldable, huge RAM, compatible OS, Best Modem, Best WiFi, Best IP68 (Not sue if this is coming in the first iteration), Best Wireless Charging (Again, this may not be come in the first two iterations), case friendly, Best materials (Titanium?)…all inclusive for a price that will be $3000-$3500 easily for a 1 TB - 2 TB device. People will start validating its usefulness since this $3500 becomes obsolete within one year where Apple is going to come up with incremental upgrades every year. Lower end models may not be big enough like Z Fold or Z trifold which would again make people to hesitate to invest $3500 and above on this device.
The only way this Apple product can be evolutionary, or revolutionary, or different from their previous stuff, or Android's stuff, or any other "stuff" is if it's a true iPad when opened. iPadOS on the inside - iPhoneOS on the cover. Anything else is redundantly useless and stupid. Google and Apple have been slackers for the past 5 years. GYHOOYA's and do something crazy obvious.
If iPad OS were much more Mac-like in functionality and if this opened up to use iPad OS, I’d be interested mildly. As it is, no interest in buying. Curiosity, yes. But no interest in using one.
This foldable is going to follow the usual product differentiation, i.e. not offer iPad functionality, but something between a regular iPhone and iPad. I bet Apple hopes you can own all 3 devices. And it's going to be castrated in its first version, so they can add missing features to the next version.
We all know how a bean counter company only responsible to share holders work by now. They simply aren't making a product as good as it can be.
Absolutely, that is the way Apple operates. I wish it weren't this way, but sadly, it is.
They hated the iPhone Air when it was still a non-existent product too!
even though i still plan to buy the pro max as well this iphone fold will likely have my main sim in it. be perfect on the go device. wouldn't say aside from cameras there will be any draw backs really from pro max
Whatever this thing is will end up using eSIM, guaranteed. I like this size form factor as well much more than the tall skinny foldable from other vendors. And it seems that someone's paying attention.
Samsung ‘Wide Fold’ rumored to rival Apple’s foldable next year
A battle over book-style foldables.
www.theverge.com