Who wants this thing? Foldables have been on the market for three years and nobody has shown any killer app for it. Don't bother.
Samsung last week announced its fourth-generation foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold 4, and as a result, some iPhone customers may be wondering about the future of a foldable iPhone.
Apple is indeed working on a foldable iPhone, but details about it remain scarce and somewhat vague. We've rounded up a few notable rumors below and want to hear from you; what would you like to see in a foldable iPhone? Let us know in the comments!
Hardware Features
- Building on an existing relationship, Apple is likely working closely with Corning to develop a special display glass for the foldable iPhone that's both tough and durable and thin and flexible.
- Rumors have fluctuated regarding the size of the foldable iPhone, with some reports saying it'll be around 9-inches and have a PPI (pixels-per-inch) between an iPhone and an iPad. Other reports say Apple has internally tested a device that opens up to 6.7-inches, similar to the size of current Pro Max iPhones.
- A research firm has suggested the foldable iPhone could support the Apple Pencil, utilizing its larger display to allow for easier note taking, drawing, sketching, and more on the device.
- Rather than typical foldable phones on the market, a rumor from Apple leaker Jon Prosser suggests that Apple is working on a foldable device with two separate screens connected via a hinge and not one single, continuous display.
Software and OS
- It remains to be seen whether Apple will, at some point, combine the iPhone and iPad into a single product, offering an iPhone when folded and an iPad-like experience when unfolded. In that case, we may see the foldable device running a hybrid between iOS and iPadOS, but that remains purely speculative.
Price and Launch Date
- Samsung's Galaxy Fold 4 starts at a steep $1,800, and while it's too early to tell what market Apple will want to target with its foldable device, Samsung's pricing does offer a little bit of context.
- According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, we're now unlikely to see a foldable iPhone until at least 2025 or later, so there are still many years to go until we may see anything hit the market.
For more in-depth information about what we know about a foldable iPhone, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide. Plus, don't forget to let us know what you want to see in a foldable iPhone below.
Article Link: What Would You Like to See in a Foldable iPhone?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What Would You Like to See in a Foldable iPhone?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think that’s doable but it takes better engineering than Samsung has devised. And now they’re stuck just iterating the same idea. They need new engineers that can see the way for the bend to have a component behind it that pushes flat against the back of the display to eliminate a crease and when it folds to not crease it but expand inside the device. I worked on a 3D prototype of what I thought would work for a design just with paper and was able to get it to not fold and to feel solid all the way across it. I think it’s about having the right engineering team to make it happen.
If Apple creates it, the demand will be there. Apple is setting this up perfectly, as Samsung is designing it and going through many revisions. About revision eight, Apple jumps in and solves all the problems and makes everyone who has an iPhone be able to use it also as an iPad mini.
iPhone would have to be a flip fold. iPad would have to be a book close. Otherwise they’re going to step on each other’s toes.
However, I don’t think Apple will release either, at least for a good few years as there’s too much compromise for not a lot of gain.
However, I don’t think Apple will release either, at least for a good few years as there’s too much compromise for not a lot of gain.
He never claimed Apple should be first.
I honestly don't understand from where specifically you get this idea. Certainly no official from Apple has made such a claim, it's just your assumption.
Really? Like for example?
I can't remember when they did such a thing, but maybe you could give some accurate examples.
These really aren't it, definitely not the way you described it above. State which "stupid design" apple followed for years and after that came out with a "much better design". Waren't the iphone and ipad supposed to be new designs the didn't copy or followed anything that already was on the market at that time? so similar to Samsung's Fold moment.
Oh dear so you want to challenge someone With 35 years of Macs and Apple gear to an internet argument.
Oh boy.
Better not waste your time.
My memory is laser like a taser.
Every Apple vet has always said what I said. I merely repeated it.
And as for your quote above, Steve Jobs said himself they stood back and rolled eyes at the netbook era and then released the iPad as a better solution.
Steve Jobs said himself they stood back and watched all the clunky mp3 players. And then they slaughtered them all with the iPod.
Steve Jobs almost went into partnership with Sony because he respected the Vaios. But then decided to one up them with the PowerBook G4 design.
Don’t debate with vets man.
We were not born yesterday. From memory we can even name you how many megahertz every machine released was running at.
Since the first machine.
Do you really think that at version 8 Apple will actually have any problem left to solve?
Even the crease with the Fold 4, Samsung most likely kept it the same one more generation because they don't have a lot of competition on the West markets and comfortably dominate the Foldable section. They very easily can minimize the crease the same way other manufacturers already did it, they don't need to way 4 more years to Apple to do it.
I think Apple will not introduce a foldable for around four years. When they do, it will be almost as good as an iPhone and iPad mini in one. Or they will not introduce it at all if glasses are the real future.
Apple Pencil support seems too weird for a foldable phone. You'd think they'd focus on bringing some UI ideas from CarPlay/WatchOS and the iMessage apps.
I just want something pocketable with good speakers and for them to bridge the foldable concept with the UI we have now.
I just want something pocketable with good speakers and for them to bridge the foldable concept with the UI we have now.
Last edited:
Oh so your argument is, "I'm an expert". LoL
Actually he said the ipad was developed as a device between an iphone and a Macbook.
Netbooks were more than anything were cheapo Windows laptops, a precursor to them is the Chromebook not tablets.
Yeah but Apple didn't have an mp3 player, they weren't competing in that market while the same can't be said about smartphones, because Samsung's foldables are essentially just smartphones and samsung makes the best screens for these devices.
I mean none of these are relevant at all "vet" as are quite ancient history that doesn't resonate with present Apple.
Most of the technologies Apple copied and implemented after they were proven on the market weren't better, just late. For example Wireless Charging, Fast Charging, the implemntation of bigger display smarphones although it was quite late vs the rest of the market it's lacking even now, as usability is inferior to Android as you can only bring down the notification shade if you swipe from the very top, you can't swipe back from the right side where is way easier on a big phone, you still can't freely place icons at the bottom of the screen and so on.
Which is useless.
Well if it takes that long it should be better than an iPhone and iPad mini in one, much better actually. The longer it takes the higher the expectation, but I doubt in 4 years a foldable "almost as good" a smartphone and a small tablet into one will be interesting at all, more like boring is the word for it.
Maybe it is the future maybe it's not, maybe Apple never launches any AR glasses. It's not like there are any real details about this supposed product.
So basically what you're saying is let Samsung fix all the problems first so Apple can swoop in and release their own?
What Would You Like to See in a Foldable iPhone?
Forget the idea completely would work just fine.
A folding screen as a concept is great, not for phones though. I want a huge touch screen that can be folded and moved from one room to another for business presentations, like a 120' screen.
Bettering battery life on which device? All of the Apple products have a pretty good battery life especially the 13 Pro Max as the current reigning Battery King for smartphones. USB-C should be on all Apple products.Apple should focus on improving other things such as USB-C. Product red iPhone Pro/Pro Max, bettering battery life, and so on.
I just don’t find foldable iPhones appealing. It’s too gimmicky
I've never seen anyone with a foldable phone. I work in the health club industry and see about 1800 people come and go every day and never, ever, have seen anyone using any foldable phone. iPhone, Samsung Galaxy variants, and occasionally (rarely) a Google Pixel. Articles like this seem like fishing expeditions trying to generate interest for the cell phone manufacturing and sales market.
Problem: When you grow older, and your eyesight diminishes, you will discover the desire for a phone small enough to fit in your pocket, but with a big enough screen for you to be able to read the text.
Solution: Foldable phone.
Use case: My mum bought one for exactly this reason, and she loves it.
Note: No one is suggesting they stop making non-folding phones. Merely another product line.
The iPhone 13 Mini has sucky battery life, not even a whole day. I agree about USB-C it's a much more robust connection.
A foldable display with no crease/hinge using, of course the newly trademarked iHinge.
Seriously though, a big, foldable display with no crease or hinge showing. Pencil support would be a must. A gigantic display that can be folded at unique angles with 1/2 of the display turning into a tactile keyboard and capable of autp switching to Mac OS.
Oh, we were talking about a phone? I’ll pass.
Tom
Seriously though, a big, foldable display with no crease or hinge showing. Pencil support would be a must. A gigantic display that can be folded at unique angles with 1/2 of the display turning into a tactile keyboard and capable of autp switching to Mac OS.
Oh, we were talking about a phone? I’ll pass.
Tom