Is Apple closer to launching a foldable iPhone? This analyst thinks so
Apple plans to launch a foldable iPhone as early as next year, joining other major smartphone makers such as Samsung, Motorola, and Google. The information comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who on Thursday shared the update on Apple's potential plans to launch a foldable iPhone. Kuo is often considered reliable when it comes to past predictions about Apple products.
According to Kuo, Apple's first foldable phone could feature a display made by Samsung Display, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, which is reportedly planning to produce 8 million panels for a device expected to launch next year. However, Apple has yet to finalise other components of its debut foldable phone, including the device's hinge.
In a post on the social media platform X, Kuo noted that Apple's plans for a foldable phone are not yet finalised and remain subject to change. He added that if Apple does launch a foldable phone next year, it will likely be priced on the 'premium' side.
For Apple, its iPhone business remains extremely profitable, accounting for half of the company's revenue. In the last quarter alone, the iPhone generated $46.84 billion in revenue, highlighting how lucrative the iPhone is to Apple's overall business. However, iPhone sales have remained relatively flat in recent years. With a foldable iPhone, Apple could attract new consumers, and a more expensive foldable model could potentially increase the device's average selling price (ASP), bringing in more revenue.
Apple remains the only mainstream smartphone maker that doesn't offer a foldable phone, while its competitors—including Samsung, Lenovo-owned Motorola, and even Google—already offer devices that fold in half. Meanwhile, companies like Huawei have introduced trifold phones, which feature two folding points and can display content across a single, double, or triple screen.
Regular foldable devices from Samsung and Google fold once in half, either vertically or horizontally. Samsung and Motorola remain the biggest makers of foldable phones in the market. According to research firm TrendForce, only 1.5% of all smartphones sold last year were foldable.
It remains to be seen whether Apple's first foldable phone will be a flip-style device or one that opens like a book with a large, tablet-like screen inside. Foldable phones have become more durable over the years, though their user interfaces remain somewhat unpolished.
Rumours of Apple making a foldable phone aren't new. In fact, multiple reports claim that Apple is also working on a foldable iPad and a MacBook hybrid. The rumours first began to surface when DSCC analyst Ross Young published a report in 2022 stating that Apple had been discussing a 20-inch foldable computing device with suppliers.
For this year, however, Apple's lineup includes a 'slim' iPhone 17 Air—a thinner version of its flagship device that is expected to replace the iPhone Plus model – alongside the mainline iPhone 17 series, including the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro Max. The next iPhone launch is expected in September, when Apple typically holds its fall media event.
Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at indianexpress.com who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin.
Email: anuj.bhatia@indianexpress.com ... Read More
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