Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

[srminton]

This looks a lot more compelling than earlier foldables that had a taller, narrow outer screen that unfolded into a near-square. Even later ones that look more like existing phones when closed seem almost pointless where they're not any more compact when folded, but then unfold to a display size that doesn't really fit most existing app layouts to take advantage of it outside of split screen.

This seems like it splits the difference between book style and flip phone style foldables to get something more compact when folded but isn't just a novelty outer display only good for notifications and playback controls, but still unfolds to something wide enough to actually feel usefully bigger.

Edit: Also, all of these reports that compare diagonal screen sizes with very different aspect ratios are super annoying. If you're going to compare it with an iphone mini, try working out what the height and width might be first.

Assuming the outer display would be half the inner display, so roughly 3:2, it looks like it should work out to almost be the same width of the iPhone Air, to the point where I think it's safe to assume it would be the same. It would also be even shorter than the mini, more akin to an iphone 4 including the bezels in height.

I agree. Main reason I have no interest in current foldables is because the screen dimensions are just not interesting. Will reserve judgment until we see it, but I'm glad they are trying a different approach, at least.

One prediction: Samsung will come out with a phone which uses the exact same dimensions, either in the six months before or six months after the foldable iPhone launches.

Or, backup prediction: Samsung will mock these dimensions, and then come out with their own version 12 months later.

Either way, I will eat my iPhone Mini if there isn't a Samsung phone using these dimensions, by 1 year after this launches.

 

[ChrisMac47]

Either way, I will eat my iPhone Mini if there isn't a Samsung phone using these dimensions, by 1 year after this launches.

Don't ! The iPhone mini is a classic, a high point of Apple's mundane products over the past 5 years. Keep it for as long as you can! Anyway, it's too crunchy to eat.

 

[tazinlwfl]

This shape with no seam is perfect. More space for canvas + UI for editing/creative, game controls, etc.

 

[digimc]

The more rumors I see on the Fold the more excited I get and the more convinced that this is going to be my next iPhone.

 

[RaoulDuke42]

Every single model of iPhone they make today is impossible to use one handed unless you are a basketball player anyway.

Agreed. They need to make a mini sized Air (5.4” to 5.6”). Then they could tout the “lightest iPhone ever!” and even if they don’t sell many of them the higher profit margin the “Air” moniker affords might make it worth their while.

 

[Denzo]

I have just left my S23 ultra and come back over to a 17 pro this week.. my wife never left, she has a 16 pro max.. and I can see what Ill be getting her next christmas. Better keep working then.

 

[ofarlig]

Even my wife is interested in the Apple Foldable when it’s in that format, so I guess there will be an order for two on launch day.