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Apple has always been behind on new designs. It took Samsung this long to get this close on a foldable and Apple's version will most likely have a good head start on its first generation. Besides, not a lot of folks dropping $2K USD on a phone these days.

Hmm...I know this is a popular claim, but we keep forgetting that there are times when Apple's designs are ahead, and times when it's not. It's just a common view that Apple is "always behind on new designs", forgetting history -- iPhone design was innovative and new, so were thin laptops, and also with noise cancelling earbud, and so were the various iPod designs.
 
Hmm...I know this is a popular claim, but we keep forgetting that there are times when Apple's designs are ahead, and times when it's not. It's just a common view that Apple is "always behind on new designs", forgetting history -- iPhone design was innovative and new, so were thin laptops, and also with noise cancelling earbud, and so were the various iPod designs.
Sure but they historically have only proceeded with a new design when they can make something at a scale much bigger than their rivals, with quality component parts, and when the market indicates they’re going to have a product that’s hot and successful. The Vision Pro is a rare example of Apple trying something new before the market is hot for it, and as we know it was a flop from a sales perspective. The iPad? See windows PCs for years before. The iPhone? Every smartphone that preceded it. The designs are perfected though, but certainly lagging by years in terms of timeline to market.

The rumor for their foldable is a creaseless one and that makes total sense. Apple releasing a device with a visible crease down the middle and a plastic screen coating that scratches at Mohs level 2 would not be great.
 
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The rumor for their foldable is a creaseless one and that makes total sense.
Except "creaseless" is not creaseless, it just means there is extra hardware under the crease to push it up so it is not noticeable. A fold is a crease. The real test is does the crease become more noticeable after hundreds of folds. One more reason to never buy the first gen of any Apple product.

As far as the Z Fold 7 crease: it is utterly invisible when the screen is lit up. To see it you either have to turn it off or hold the device at an angle that is not the way anyone would normally look at their tablet. You may sense a dip when gliding your finger over it, but you most likely never see it and forget it is there.

To me the crease is a non-issue. Apple's expected fold is already rumored to be smaller and chunkier than the Z Fold 7 (and keep in mind that we will be on Z Fold 8 by then), so it needs to deliver IP68 and better battery life to compete.
 
Except "creaseless" is not creaseless, it just means there is extra hardware under the crease to push it up so it is not noticeable..
Well, it's possible that Apple employ little elves that live behind the screen and they use a hot iron to iron out the little creases when the screen is open.
🙃🤪😝
 
Except "creaseless" is not creaseless, it just means there is extra hardware under the crease to push it up so it is not noticeable. A fold is a crease. The real test is does the crease become more noticeable after hundreds of folds. One more reason to never buy the first gen of any Apple product.

As far as the Z Fold 7 crease: it is utterly invisible when the screen is lit up. To see it you either have to turn it off or hold the device at an angle that is not the way anyone would normally look at their tablet. You may sense a dip when gliding your finger over it, but you most likely never see it and forget it is there.

To me the crease is a non-issue. Apple's expected fold is already rumored to be smaller and chunkier than the Z Fold 7 (and keep in mind that we will be on Z Fold 8 by then), so it needs to deliver IP68 and better battery life to compete.

I’m going to assume that given Apple does not manufacture the screen, they’re awaiting the screen tech that suits their outlook for a device to last several years and not, say, 500k unfolds only. I’d imagine IP68 is going to be the bigger kicker for them to solve. Sounds like google is getting there this year with their fold.and while there will be a camera compromise, if the device is slightly thicker for a better camera module, that seems worthwhile.
 
As a long-time Apple and tech observer, you have to understand the mindset at Apple. With a few exceptions, they stick to a formula that considers details, addresses questions, and determines how a new product they decide to support fits into the ecosystem they have established. For Apple, a folding iPhone or iPad, how would they want to pull it off? How would they do repairs with AppleCare? Does it live up to real-world use in the field? Samsung is willing to take the hits with a phone like this, to put in the hard work while Apple watches from afar, taking notes.

The question isn't "Why is Apple not doing this?" The question is why Apple "should" do it? Doing it to meet a demand few are asking for, or because it would be good for business, or because tech enthusiasts will buy anything from Apple, are not reasons to release products. "Think Different" sometimes means saying "no" to a folding device, or a Touch ID built into a screen, or making Face ID built into a display.
 
The foldable looks too thin and I already have small hands anyway. I like my iPhones with a little heft to them not some paper thin "phone". The case I have for my iPhone and iPod touch adds a little bulk so I can hang on to them better.

Basically, what I am saying, how could Apple create a foldable iPhone that has all the wiring for all the current iPhones do from the basic to the max? It just doesn't seem like a good idea.
 
Except "creaseless" is not creaseless, it just means there is extra hardware under the crease to push it up so it is not noticeable. A fold is a crease. The real test is does the crease become more noticeable after hundreds of folds. One more reason to never buy the first gen of any Apple product.

As far as the Z Fold 7 crease: it is utterly invisible when the screen is lit up. To see it you either have to turn it off or hold the device at an angle that is not the way anyone would normally look at their tablet. You may sense a dip when gliding your finger over it, but you most likely never see it and forget it is there.

To me the crease is a non-issue. Apple's expected fold is already rumored to be smaller and chunkier than the Z Fold 7 (and keep in mind that we will be on Z Fold 8 by then), so it needs to deliver IP68 and better battery life to compete.
I sit next to a window while using my Fold 7 and the reflections from the crease drive me crazy. Other than that, great device.
 
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Always remember that Apple's goal is to "not launch junk" and they don't strive to be first-to-market, unlike most of their competitors. They usually release products only when they believe the technology necessary to make it is ready.
 
Tried the fold 7 at Best Buy last night.....after all these years I have never had any desire to stray from an iPhone. The leap in hardware is astonishing. I haven't thought "wow" in regards to an iPhone since the 11PM, this is a similar feeling. The 7 makes my 16PM feel like a dinosaur. I know Apple usually takes the "were not first, but we perfected it" road, but it feels like it should be changed to "yesterdays technology, tomorrow."
 
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Honestly a apple foldable hurts ipad sales imao so I don't see why apple would literally do this but the pressure for the tech bro side of apple is gonna end up hurting them.

They need to stick to making decent communication devices with grade A apps, not to let the tech bros force the hand.
 
The foldable looks too thin and I already have small hands anyway. I like my iPhones with a little heft to them not some paper thin "phone". The case I have for my iPhone and iPod touch adds a little bulk so I can hang on to them better.

Basically, what I am saying, how could Apple create a foldable iPhone that has all the wiring for all the current iPhones do from the basic to the max? It just doesn't seem like a good idea.
I've used the Z Fold 7. When closed it's about as thick as a conventional phone; when open, that slimness isn't really an issue. It weighs about as much as a typical phone and feels solid, not flimsy. My only gripe is that you need to be a bit mindful opening it if there's no case, as it's not extra-grippy.

If Samsung can make something like the Z Fold 7 without major compromises, Apple can absolutely make a foldable iPhone. The display, battery, and hinge tech is there. It's just a question of priorities, and whether or not the software makes good use of the folding screen. I suspect iPadOS 26 is laying the groundwork for multitasking on the folding phone.
 
If my current iPhone (iPhone 16) follow my 6s and 12 mini, I will have a good long time with it. I actually held on to my 12 mini years after it was discounted because of poor sales. (I don't remember actually. It was discontinued a short time after release, like a year or two.)

Hopefully by then the tariffs will be eliminated. Unless President Trump finds some sort of way to run for President again even though he'll have completed his second term in office and isn't there a standing law that says no President can serve for more than two terms because technically, this is his second term in office, can he run for re-election?

If I remember correctly, and please correct me if I am wrong because I have been suffering from seizures probably since sometime after his 2016 term started which ultimately resulted in a Tonic Clonic, formerly known as a Grand Mal, seizure in February of 2023.
 
For me the frustration comes from building up a big ecosystem with products and services from a company that used to push boundaries but has shifted to playing it safe and rehash the same things as last year in a different colour instead.

Sure I can take the hassle and cost to rip out every Apple product and service, but the company changing direction forcing me to do that if I want what I used to get with Apple products is what’s frustrating.
If I’m reading you right, you basically expect Apple to make successful revolutionary tech products regularly and indefinitely. But that’s just not possible. Apple is a company and like every company is made up of humans, so there will be misses and lulls.
 
If I’m reading you right, you basically expect Apple to make successful revolutionary tech products regularly and indefinitely. But that’s just not possible. Apple is a company and like every company is made up of humans, so there will be misses and lulls.

I never said anything about successful. Innovation requires taking chances and risk which is something Apple used to do but not as much anymore, the chances they take these days are mostly related to the colour of the devices…
 
Maybe I'll get back to a foldable when/if Apple releases one. I jumped ship to the Fold 7. Lasted 4 days. I just couldn't deal with it and decided to go back to my precious iPhone.
I thought I could deal with Android but no way. Not for me.
The phone itself is nice, with some "bad" parts (the camera bump wobble is insane and it get super warm just from taking a couple of photos!!), but couldn't deal with the lack of polish and beauty of iOS apps.

The grass is not always greener on the other side.
 
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The question isn't "Why is Apple not doing this?" The question is why Apple "should" do it? Doing it to meet a demand few are asking for, or because it would be good for business, or because tech enthusiasts will buy anything from Apple, are not reasons to release products. "Think Different" sometimes means saying "no" to a folding device, or a Touch ID built into a screen, or making Face ID built into a display.

Ss what’s the reason for releasing the Vision Pro?
 
Ss what’s the reason for releasing the Vision Pro?
mostly so devs could work with it. no one is buying it yet, but the cost will come down and functionality will go up. the form factor will also improve. it's basically not a consumer product yet.
 
I never said anything about successful. Innovation requires taking chances and risk which is something Apple used to do but not as much anymore, the chances they take these days are mostly related to the colour of the devices…
I think in recent years Apple Silicon, Vision Pro, and Apple Car were extremely risky. But unfortunately only AS was a clear success. VP we’re still waiting to see long term. And the car, though never announced, we know was a huge investment that never materialized. Along with these risks, it’s logical for a company to make minor refreshes in their established product lines.
 
I will never buy a foldable phone as long as the screen is able to be scratched with your fingernail. That has been proven in all durability tests that I've seen. I also object to the notion that you can't see the seam
. You can certainly see that the surface is not flat just by how light reflects off of it. Apple made its first breakthrough when they came out with capacitive glass screens and not pressure sensitive plastic screens.
 
I used it for 3 weeks November 2024. It was fun but at the end I’ll pass. More time suck more things I’d rather do that obsessive with tech and 10 hours of screen time. No thanks.
 
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