Funny how everyone wants to pin this to an existing product line. I think it’s equally likely Apple has something new and more innovative in mind. What? I have no idea. That’s why it would be innovative.
Not a bad thought, think different. But it has to be something with a screen which limits options.
Anyone who ever owed a Motorola Razr would understand why the idea of a foldable iPhone is so exciting.
I had a Razer. That form factor had a physical keyboard and a key purpose of folding was to protect the keyboard and the minuscule and fragile plastic screen, while also making it smaller length wise. The purpose of a modern foldable phone with a glass screen would be to reduce footprint when not in use, while doing so sacrifices thinness.
So it then ends up fatter, which sucks big time going into a jeans pocket, OK in an handbag. The only fold I have seen in the wild was kept in a handbag. I suppose on something like an iPad, the fatter problem is not so important.
I have a good friend with a Galaxy Z Flip5 and it's actually a very nice piece of hardware. His rationale for moving to the folding form factor was because it is more pocketable compared to maxi sized slab phones we've all been using, myself included. Yeah, it's thicker when folded but it fits better in most pockets than the giant phones we've been living with. It's not thicker than my wallet that I carry in my front pocket and is less of a concern when bending over if you carry your maxi giant phone in your front pocket. It certainly seems rugged enough because his 5 kids are always playing with it.
It's important to keep in mind that any user friendly folding phone is going to require a third screen to allow you to access lock screen type of functionality. This just adds to the complexity and is just another thing that can get broken. It's also redundant to some degree. The biggest gripe my friend has with his folding phone is the difficulty of finding a decent case where one side or the other doesn't fall off because it's not secured on both ends like a slab phone case is. Maybe folding phones need to have small slots adjacent to the hinge to keep cases securely locked in place, kind of like the battery compartments on some devices like keyboards and mice, but much more refined.
I have no desire for a folding iPad because I have no need to fit an iPad in my pants pocket. iPads fit nicely in a backpack or a murse. I like the rigidity and slab-like quality of the iPad. It's comfortable to hold up to about 11 inches but then it becomes too big, like a coffee table book. The smaller iPads are like a traditional hardcover book and a foldable iPad would be like a paperback book. But that's my preference and there may be those who really want a folding iPad for one reason or another. If Vision Pro really catches on and becomes something that's convenient to carry around then maybe I will no longer have a desire to own an iPad.
If Apple is going to do a folding device it makes a lot more sense to bring that capability to the iPhone. It's a natural fit and makes a lot of sense. Don't write it off just because Apple wasn't the first one to bring it to market, just like the maxi phones.
Samsung or whoever else can make foldable phones that don’t hold up and the world shrugs. Apple makes one that isn’t perfection and it’s WWIII. Apple is obviously well aware of this so if they never end up bringing one to market it will be for good reason.
Honestly I hope they never release anything folding. It's such a gimmick and provides no value at all.
I think a lot of women (and men I suppose) who carry purses might disagree. Even the non Max iPhones are quite large and present a challenge for those who carry a purse around that’s too small to fit a Chihuahua dog.
Frankly, I have no idea what the heck my wife carries around in her purse because it weighs a ton, but she’s constantly complaining about the iPhone 14 that contributes a substantial amount to the purse tonnage and takes up too much space. The height of the iPhone also makes it difficult to zip the top closure of smaller purses. She’s seen my friend’s folding phone and would love to have a folding option for an iPhone.
I am much less enamored with the prospect of a folding iPhone but I do get annoyed at times with my iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is probably the chunkiest iPhone Apple has ever built. But I’ll never switch to a non-Apple smartphone because I’m totally entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and find it to be quite rewarding. If Apple did a folding iPhone to Apple’s standard of quality and design I would absolutely take a look at it. I’m always willing to change when evidence of new benefits presents itself.
Honestly I hope they never release anything folding. It's such a gimmick and provides no value at all.
I think a lot of women (and men I suppose) who carry purses might disagree. Even the non Max iPhones are quite large and present a challenge for those who carry a purse around that’s too small to fit a Chihuahua dog.
Frankly, I have no idea what the heck my wife carries around in her purse because it weighs a ton, but she’s constantly complaining about the iPhone 14 that contributes a substantial amount to the purse tonnage and takes up too much space. The height of the iPhone also makes it difficult to zip the top closure of smaller purses. She’s seen my friend’s folding phone and would love to have a folding option for an iPhone.
I am much less enamored with the prospect of a folding iPhone but I do get annoyed at times with my iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is probably the chunkiest iPhone Apple has ever built. But I’ll never switch to a non-Apple smartphone because I’m totally entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and find it to be quite rewarding. If Apple did a folding iPhone to Apple’s standard of quality and design I would absolutely take a look at it. I’m always willing to change when evidence of new benefits presents itself.
It won't take up less space...it's just fat instead of long. And a lot of people I see stupidly put their phone in their back pocket not in their bag.
It's not clear what stage the design is at, but the implication is that it's nearing completion. The report says that planning is underway for the mass production of the device. Similarly, reporting that this device will not be an iPhone, says that it will be an iPad or a MacBook Pro.
This is basically fortune teller language. They don't know what stage of the design is but know that it is nearing completion? That's completely opposite information. If it is nearing completion, that implies the design is done. Always issues to work out for production, but the design is done. What they are saying is that they don't know anything.
The only thing informative about this is the repetition of old rumors that Apple is working on folding display devices that could be a Mac or an iPad, which has been rumored for many years now. A folding 20" to 24" display iPad or Mac is an interesting product as you can use it as a mobile iMac or mobile drawing tablet from desk to desk. This sounds like a nice product, especially if they have good virtual keyboards and trackpads.
The big issue I've been thinking about with this is fingerprints. There has to be a way to easily and quickly wipe them away.
Honestly I hope they never release anything folding. It's such a gimmick and provides no value at all.
I think a lot of women (and men I suppose) who carry purses might disagree. Even the non Max iPhones are quite large and present a challenge for those who carry a purse around that’s too small to fit a Chihuahua dog.
Frankly, I have no idea what the heck my wife carries around in her purse because it weighs a ton, but she’s constantly complaining about the iPhone 14 that contributes a substantial amount to the purse tonnage and takes up too much space. The height of the iPhone also makes it difficult to zip the top closure of smaller purses. She’s seen my friend’s folding phone and would love to have a folding option for an iPhone.
I am much less enamored with the prospect of a folding iPhone but I do get annoyed at times with my iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is probably the chunkiest iPhone Apple has ever built. But I’ll never switch to a non-Apple smartphone because I’m totally entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and find it to be quite rewarding. If Apple did a folding iPhone to Apple’s standard of quality and design I would absolutely take a look at it. I’m always willing to change when evidence of new benefits presents itself.
It won't take up less space...it's just fat instead of long. And a lot of people I see stupidly put their phone in their back pocket not in their bag.
Yes of course it’ll be shorter and thicker so it depends on which dimension is of more concern to you. My wallet is too thick, not because it’s stuffed with money, but all the various cards, IDs, etc.
As more organizations jump on Apple Wallet I’m hoping several of those cards disappear entirely. My health insurance card added support for Apple Wallet last week and my drivers license will do the same later this year. That said, my wallet is easier to deal with in a front pocket than is my iPhone. I sometimes put my iPhone in my shirt pocket, you know, the one that used to host my pocket protector with a mechanical pen and pencil, small screwdriver, and non magnetic tweaker for adjusting tuning pots and DIP switches on PCBs. I have to be careful I don’t bend over forward too far because my iPhone sticks out of my shirt pocket somewhat precariously. The same phone at half the height and double thickness would be far more secure.
Yeah, seeing a big smartphone sticking out of someone’s rear pocket is frightening but not as bad as the same type of phone wedged between someone’s cheek and shoulder with no hands on the device. They’re just begging for a screen replacement charge or possibly whole new phone. Good move to keep phone repair shops busy and flush with cash.
If it doubles again this year and Apple has no equivalent offering, come October, how might things look in China when some have already claimed that the lack of a folding or flip option impacted their latest results in China?
The Razr had appeal and that is clearly one of the selling points of a flip phone. Forget other considerations for a moment.
Anyone who ever owed a Motorola Razr would understand why the idea of a foldable iPhone is so exciting.
Really? Tell us more. Why do you think this would be a good idea?
For now though my initial issues with the concept are unfolding is just one more thing I have to do to get to my phone’s Home Screen. I don’t need my phone to be smaller. I’m sure if Apple does it it would probably be awesome but I cannot picture the incentive. This was a dream from the early 2010s era that just seemed to fizzle out with the times.
If it doubles again this year and Apple has no equivalent offering, come October, how might things look in China when some have already claimed that the lack of a folding or flip option impacted their latest results in China?
The Razr had appeal and that is clearly one of the selling points of a flip phone. Forget other considerations for a moment.
The Rococo and Grey options for that phone look absolutely gorgeous.
HAD. Past tense. It was the 90s. We had flip phones. We’re in 2024 now. Move on.
Appeal is still as important today as it was then. It's simply a question of hitting the right keys at the right moment.
Being in the right place at the right time.
As stated in the link, folding and flip phones have doubled their sales every year for the last four years and now prices are falling. The Razr flip phone can now be had for $499 after discounts.
I wear my iPhone in my back pocket all the time. But it’s a 12 mini. i would be interested in a folding iPad if it made an 11 inch 22 inches. Not more compact. Bigger.
it would need a small third screen though on the top side for doing meeting notes, on the bus and the like. Tres expensive
Comments
It's important to keep in mind that any user friendly folding phone is going to require a third screen to allow you to access lock screen type of functionality. This just adds to the complexity and is just another thing that can get broken. It's also redundant to some degree. The biggest gripe my friend has with his folding phone is the difficulty of finding a decent case where one side or the other doesn't fall off because it's not secured on both ends like a slab phone case is. Maybe folding phones need to have small slots adjacent to the hinge to keep cases securely locked in place, kind of like the battery compartments on some devices like keyboards and mice, but much more refined.
I have no desire for a folding iPad because I have no need to fit an iPad in my pants pocket. iPads fit nicely in a backpack or a murse. I like the rigidity and slab-like quality of the iPad. It's comfortable to hold up to about 11 inches but then it becomes too big, like a coffee table book. The smaller iPads are like a traditional hardcover book and a foldable iPad would be like a paperback book. But that's my preference and there may be those who really want a folding iPad for one reason or another. If Vision Pro really catches on and becomes something that's convenient to carry around then maybe I will no longer have a desire to own an iPad.
If Apple is going to do a folding device it makes a lot more sense to bring that capability to the iPhone. It's a natural fit and makes a lot of sense. Don't write it off just because Apple wasn't the first one to bring it to market, just like the maxi phones.
The only thing informative about this is the repetition of old rumors that Apple is working on folding display devices that could be a Mac or an iPad, which has been rumored for many years now. A folding 20" to 24" display iPad or Mac is an interesting product as you can use it as a mobile iMac or mobile drawing tablet from desk to desk. This sounds like a nice product, especially if they have good virtual keyboards and trackpads.
The big issue I've been thinking about with this is fingerprints. There has to be a way to easily and quickly wipe them away.
As more organizations jump on Apple Wallet I’m hoping several of those cards disappear entirely. My health insurance card added support for Apple Wallet last week and my drivers license will do the same later this year. That said, my wallet is easier to deal with in a front pocket than is my iPhone. I sometimes put my iPhone in my shirt pocket, you know, the one that used to host my pocket protector with a mechanical pen and pencil, small screwdriver, and non magnetic tweaker for adjusting tuning pots and DIP switches on PCBs. I have to be careful I don’t bend over forward too far because my iPhone sticks out of my shirt pocket somewhat precariously. The same phone at half the height and double thickness would be far more secure.
Being in the right place at the right time.
As stated in the link, folding and flip phones have doubled their sales every year for the last four years and now prices are falling. The Razr flip phone can now be had for $499 after discounts.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-most-affordable-folding-phone-ive-tested-is-on-sale-for-just-499-right-now/
Price is the last remaining barrier to wider adoption.
i would be interested in a folding iPad if it made an 11 inch 22 inches. Not more compact. Bigger.
it would need a small third screen though on the top side for doing meeting notes, on the bus and the like. Tres expensive