iPhone 17 Pro Max You guys aren’t seriously considering buying a “Folding” iPhone Are you ?

[Unami]

Nah, I'm generally interested in folding devices, but when there's a trade-off in durability and functionality combined with a higher price-point, it's more of a trade-down. I've had some Apple 1st gen devices (ipad, watch) and they definitely suffered from being underspecced or undertested. E.g. the 256Mb of RAM shortened the lifespan of the OG ipad and the back of the OG-watch fell out before it's intended end of life.

Maybe in 3 years, when there's a more durable and cheaper version (mind you, we don't know the price yet, if it's 1,2k like the galaxy fold, I'll take it all back), but, come to think of it, for me, personally an iphone fold makes not a lot of sense. If it's as big as a normal iphone but thicker and you have to unfold it every time to get a bigger but still small screen, why bother? I'm firmly in the "small phone for shortlived phone stuff, 10 inch ipad for more longform things lke websurfing in the bag"-camp. I'd be more interested in a flip style phone that makes chassis of the CPU in my pocket smaller. (And one that I can open with a wrist flick and that makes a Star Trek TOS - Communicator - sound, when done so)

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Anyone here deliberately going to buy a Folding iPhone please share with us Why ? And $1,000 Extra on top of regular iPhone Pro Max prices allegedly.

I plan to get it because it will bring value for my daily life. The combination of iPhone and a mini pad in one pocketable device is a great efficient tool to manage and maintain. It will be the most portable iPad ever made with capability for calling.

The question should be answered how people will value the device. If it will be valuable, the impacted people will seriously get it, if not, they do not.
No need justification to others if someone will get it or not.

The condemnation toward the device is unbelievably bad before the device is even released, which does not make any sense.

Every Apple device has its own audience.

 

[klasma]

I’d be interested if it didn’t have that fat camera bump and if the placement of the power vs. the volume buttons were switched (missed opportunity to bring back the niceness of the pre iPhone 6 power button placement, IMO). Lack of MagSafe would also be bad.

 

[SalisburySam]

You guys aren’t seriously considering buying a “Folding” iPhone Are you ?​

Er, no, not at all. Zero interest. Zero willingness to pay the freight whatever it is. Just not a device I see ever owning…happily displaying FOMO.

 

[HiVolt]

Anyone here deliberately going to buy a Folding iPhone please share with us Why ? And $1,000 Extra on top of regular iPhone Pro Max prices allegedly.

I wouldn't just because of the sheer price will probably be close to $2500-3000 CAD, and if its missing many features because of the thinness like the telephoto zoom or face ID, i just couldn't justify it.

 

[ofarlig]

I don’t see why I wouldn’t buy it, I like folding phones but even if I never tried them I’d want to try what Apple cooked up because new experiences in areas of interest just enriches life. And the extra cost that is rumoured really is insignificant in the larger picture.

 

[Ludatyk]

I’d be interested if it didn’t have that fat camera bump and if the placement of the power vs. the volume buttons were switched (missed opportunity to bring back the niceness of the pre iPhone 6 power button placement, IMO).

You make a good point with switching the placement of the power & volume buttons… but one thing to consider, the power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner. And it would so clumsy trying to unlock this device at the top… because you would be constantly repositioning your hand.

It’s one of those cases… if it’s not broke don’t fix it, all book-style foldables have their fingerprint scanner placement on the side (except for one who have a in-display scanner).

Lack of MagSafe would also be bad.

Is it annoying? Yes. But bad… I don’t know. Because most will have cases on the device… which some come with built-in Magsafe support. And on my Galaxy Fold, I simply added a skin and placed MagSafe sticker on top of it.

 

[joshwithachance]

Says the guy who owns two current model iPhones…?

The Pro Max is my work phone, the Air my personal.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I'm buying two so they get a sale from you, too

 

[paulfagan]

Anyone here deliberately going to buy a Folding iPhone please share with us Why ? And $1,000 Extra on top of regular iPhone Pro Max prices allegedly.

No! A glorified iPAD! I already have an iPAD. Not a fan of any flip phone - a reminder of old smartphones. Too cumbersome - especially unlocking it. More likely to break if dropped. I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max I use daily and it is big enough for me.

 

[Scipster]

It’ll be as successful as the iPhone mini and the iPhone Air.

Sticking with the 17 Pro for the foreseeable future.

 

[klasma]

You make a good point with switching the placement of the power & volume buttons… but one thing to consider, the power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner. And it would so clumsy trying to unlock this device at the top… because you would be constantly repositioning your hand.

The Ultra is shorter than the iPhone 5, somewhere between the iPhone 4 and 5, and the power button was conveniently reachable on those. It was relocated on the iPhone 6 because that one became too tall. While not as convenient as the Home button, having Touch ID on the top would have the benefit that you can reach it one-handed (either with the thumb or the index finger) regardless which hand you are holding the Ultra in.

Is it annoying? Yes. But bad… I don’t know. Because most will have cases on the device… which some come with built-in Magsafe support. And on my Galaxy Fold, I simply added a skin and placed MagSafe sticker on top of it.

I don’t use cases, therefore it would be bad for me. One reason I don’t like to use cases is that I prefer the naked look of the phone, and putting a sticker on it would still defeat that purpose.

 

[eyoungren]

Why are some people so judgemental about what others do and do not like/buy/use?!

You can be uninterested in something without thinking owners or enthusiasts are morons…

For the record: I’m all over this thing. It will replace my phone and tablet into one device. Plus, I just like new and fun tech. I’m pumped!!!! 🤓👍

You're a moron!

No, wait…uh. I'm a moron for calling you a moron for liking something I don't. Yeah, that's it.

I'm the moron! 😀

 

[paulfagan]

This will be the first year I won't be up at 8AM trying to get online to buy a new iPhone in September. The Air 2 won't be coming out in September (if ever) and I have absolutely no interest in a folding phone. Out of curiosity only, I'll go check it out in the Apple Store at some point.

Same here - no interest in a folding iPhone!

 

[eyoungren]

If Apple makes a foldable with zero crease, great battery, and real multitasking, a lot of “never” people will switch fast. The real issue isn’t folding — it’s whether Apple can make it feel useful instead of gimmicky.

That's going to take a lot of doing on Apple's part for me. I use devices for specific tasks. They are tools and when I'm serious about a job, I pick up the specific tool for that job.

Convincing me that a crescent wrench is far superior to two appropriately sized box wrenches is on Apple. I don't have a desire to consolidate to one tool for everything and I don't have a lifestyle or a job that will force me to either.

 

[madebybela]

i was a massive hater until i saw the rumored size

 

[Ludatyk]

The Ultra is shorter than the iPhone 5, somewhere between the iPhone 4 and 5, and the power button was conveniently reachable on those. It was relocated on the iPhone 6 because that one became too tall. While not as convenient as the Home button, having Touch ID on the top would have the benefit that you can reach it one-handed (either with the thumb or the index finger) regardless which hand you are holding the Ultra in.

Users will be able to reach it.. I’m not denying that. Well, let me rephrase this then.. some people will constantly have to repositioning their hand while it’s much effortless with the fingerprint scanner on the side. And you have to take into consideration.. not all people have the same hands.

And tbf, I potentially might not have an issue with my above average hands… but I think others will.

I don’t use cases, therefore it would be bad for me. One reason I don’t like to use cases is that I prefer the naked look of the phone, and putting a sticker on it would still defeat that purpose.

I don’t use cases either.. prefer the naked look as well. Tried using one of those Carbon & Aramid Fiber cases… since they are thin, but wasn’t good enough. Adding a magsafe sticker helped matters (for me).

 

[Nekronos]

No reason to trade in a 17PM for an 18PM with such minor upgrades year over year, so keeping the 17PM and getting a folding iPhone for sure. Still unsure if I am replacing my Pixel 10P with an 11PXL though. And getting a Unihertz Titan 2 Elite Pro to finish up the year. Because he who dies with the most toys wins.

Befitting take for a Lannister.

 

[Sami13496]

Of course not. Thankfully, my life isn’t so empty that I need to look for a substitute for happiness in $2,500 gimmick devices that give you a feeling of happiness for five minutes.

 

[klasma]

Users will be able to reach it.. I’m not denying that. Well, let me rephrase this then.. some people will constantly have to repositioning their hand while it’s much effortless with the fingerprint scanner on the side. And you have to take into consideration.. not all people have the same hands.

My experience with the iPhone 5 vs. 6 was different, the 6 (and now the mini) was less convenient, that’s why I would prefer a return to the previous placement. I don’t think you have to reposition your hand much, just move the index finger to the top. My hands aren’t large.

 

[101phd]

I would consider it but moving from FaceID to TouchID is a bridge too far for me.

 

[NeonNights]

God no. With my eyesight I need the pro max iPhone size. And with my arthritis that’s already more than heavy enough in the hands. Imagine what the weight will be of such a device with all that extra display! And as others have stated, the cameras will be a step down due to form factor and who needs to fold a phone anyway? As a man, my trouser pockets are more than capable of storing easily such a slab of non-foldable glass with a camera built in and battery strapped to the back of the glass. The speakers won’t be as good either.

You do realize the Samsung Fold 7 (at 215g) weighs less than every iPhone Pro Max model, past and present. Just saying.

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 233 grams (8.22 oz)
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 227 grams (8.01 oz)
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221 grams (7.80 oz)
• iPhone 14 Pro Max: 240 grams (8.47 oz)
• iPhone 13 Pro Max: 240 grams (8.47 oz)
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: 228 grams (8.03 oz)
• iPhone 11 Pro Max: 226 grams (7.97 oz)

If Samsung can make a 5-camera foldable that's lighter than an iPhone Pro Max (and just as thin as the 17PM), imagine what Apple can do with their own foldable? And as a fellow eyesight-challenged individual, a larger foldable screen is a godsend. Keep an open mind is all I'm saying. Sure, iPhone Ultra will be more expensive than the Pro Max, but also more convenient than having a separate iPhone and iPad. The foldable iPhone won't meet everyone's tastes but I imagine there will be far more adopters than this thread suggests.

 

[noblesoul117]

If I can have an iPad mini in my hand and a 13 mini in my pocket, count me in.

That is if they don't eff. up the landscape keyboard.

This is how I feel.

However, not sure I'd pay a price that equates to the same as a separate iPhone and separate iPad mini. Especially not if it costs more than those two things…

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

God no. With my eyesight I need the pro max iPhone size. And with my arthritis that’s already more than heavy enough in the hands. Imagine what the weight will be of such a device with all that extra display! And as others have stated, the cameras will be a step down due to form factor and who needs to fold a phone anyway? As a man, my trouser pockets are more than capable of storing easily such a slab of non-foldable glass with a camera built in and battery strapped to the back of the glass. The speakers won’t be as good either.

The latest flagship Galaxy ZFold is 20 G lighter than the 17 Pro Max, and almost the same thickness as that same 17 Pro Max when closed.
I swear these comments feel like they come straight out of 2018.
People, it’s 2026. Most folding phones are just about as thin and light as the regular slab flagships, and the majority of the biggest screen failure points from the early models have been resolved.
Samsung sells over 5 million folding phones every year, there’s a reason you don’t hear about 5 million returns or failures.

 

[svenmany]

I will take my wife to the store to look at them and decide if she would benefit from one. She zooms the text so large on her current iPhone (the largest available) that some apps struggle to even function.

I would worry about the durability of the device. We generally keep our phones for 5 or 6 years. I wonder if the folding phone would last that long.