Apple has remained notably absent from the foldable smartphone market, at the same time as rivals reminiscent of Samsung and Huawei have spent years refining the shape issue. Whereas the Cupertino big’s first foldable merchandise could also be approaching, they’re nonetheless a number of years out, and thus their potential impression on Apple’s barely down enterprise forecast stays unsure.
In keeping with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s foldable iPhone remains to be within the planning phases regardless of experiences indicating the mission has been in improvement for nearly a decade. Nevertheless, a brand new super-thin iPhone “Air” mannequin is reportedly set to debut within the second half of this 12 months.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be extremely skinny, with the “thinnest half” doubtlessly measuring simply 5.5mm. This excessive thinness might end in a tapered design or rounded edges, however it’ll additionally require compromises. Notably, the gadget could lack a bodily SIM card tray, relying completely on eSIM. Whereas this is not a difficulty in markets just like the U.S., it might hinder gross sales in China, the place bodily SIM playing cards are normal. Moreover, the skinny design could necessitate a smaller battery and fewer cameras.
This evaluation follows data from The Wall Road Journal, which suggests that Apple plans to revitalize gross sales with a brand new iPhone that will value lower than the Professional fashions (which in itself does not make them cheap, nor mainstream priced).
Hypothesis round Apple’s foldable gadgets has circulated since at the very least 2016. Earlier experiences from Kuo and different analysts point out that the mission has confronted repeated inner delays however might materialize as early as 2026 or 2027. Moreover, ultra-large foldable iPads and MacBooks may additionally be underneath improvement.
Apple’s main problem reportedly lies in designing a sturdy folding hinge and display screen. Even producers with years of expertise in foldables, like Samsung, proceed to face reliability points, as TechSpot writers can attest.
December 2024 iPhone shipments in China reportedly declined by about 10% year-over-year, and international shipments for Q1 2025 are forecasted to drop by roughly 6%.
Apple can also be anticipated to launch the iPhone SE 4 in March, which could embody Apple Intelligence options. Nevertheless, there may be little proof that the GenAI toolchain, which is unique to Apple’s latest {hardware}, is pushing customers to improve. Experiences of inaccurate information summaries definitely will not assist.
Moreover, a current survey signifies that customers aren’t excited about Apple Intelligence, and different knowledge exhibits that GenAI is not rising gross sales for different producers both.
Apple has remained notably absent from the foldable smartphone market, at the same time as rivals reminiscent of Samsung and Huawei have spent years refining the shape issue. Whereas the Cupertino big’s first foldable merchandise could also be approaching, they’re nonetheless a number of years out, and thus their potential impression on Apple’s barely down enterprise forecast stays unsure.
In keeping with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s foldable iPhone remains to be within the planning phases regardless of experiences indicating the mission has been in improvement for nearly a decade. Nevertheless, a brand new super-thin iPhone “Air” mannequin is reportedly set to debut within the second half of this 12 months.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be extremely skinny, with the “thinnest half” doubtlessly measuring simply 5.5mm. This excessive thinness might end in a tapered design or rounded edges, however it’ll additionally require compromises. Notably, the gadget could lack a bodily SIM card tray, relying completely on eSIM. Whereas this is not a difficulty in markets just like the U.S., it might hinder gross sales in China, the place bodily SIM playing cards are normal. Moreover, the skinny design could necessitate a smaller battery and fewer cameras.
This evaluation follows data from The Wall Road Journal, which suggests that Apple plans to revitalize gross sales with a brand new iPhone that will value lower than the Professional fashions (which in itself does not make them cheap, nor mainstream priced).
Hypothesis round Apple’s foldable gadgets has circulated since at the very least 2016. Earlier experiences from Kuo and different analysts point out that the mission has confronted repeated inner delays however might materialize as early as 2026 or 2027. Moreover, ultra-large foldable iPads and MacBooks may additionally be underneath improvement.
Apple’s main problem reportedly lies in designing a sturdy folding hinge and display screen. Even producers with years of expertise in foldables, like Samsung, proceed to face reliability points, as TechSpot writers can attest.
December 2024 iPhone shipments in China reportedly declined by about 10% year-over-year, and international shipments for Q1 2025 are forecasted to drop by roughly 6%.
Apple can also be anticipated to launch the iPhone SE 4 in March, which could embody Apple Intelligence options. Nevertheless, there may be little proof that the GenAI toolchain, which is unique to Apple’s latest {hardware}, is pushing customers to improve. Experiences of inaccurate information summaries definitely will not assist.
Moreover, a current survey signifies that customers aren’t excited about Apple Intelligence, and different knowledge exhibits that GenAI is not rising gross sales for different producers both.
