Samsung have done it, Google have done it, Motorola, Oppo and others have done it, they
have all created foldable phones but Apple haven’t.
Some people say they shouldn’t, while others say they should, and there are some out there
who say that the foldable market won’t arrive to the masses until Apple enters the market,
but should they, let’s have a look.
Foldable devices are one of the hottest talking points right now in the smartphone industry.
Some people like them, others don’t.
But which ever side you’re on, there’s no denying, that they offer three new ways
of interacting with your phone.
Portability, by being compact and easier to carry around when folded, but still offering
that large screen size when unfolded, which can be useful for watching videos, reading
books, browsing the web, or multitasking on different apps.
Versatility, by being more adaptable to different use cases and user preferences.
And Innovation, by showcasing a companies creativity and technological prowess in the
market, leading to potentially attracting new customers who are looking for something
different and exciting from their mobile devices.
Samsung is arguably the leader in the foldable phone market at the moment and have been making
phones like this since 2019, with their Z series in the Fold and this one, the Flip.
You would think that in a market such as the US market, Samsung would face tough competition
from Apple, if they were to enter, as Apple has a loyal customer base there and a strong
brand image.
Google released their Pixel Fold earlier this year designed to showcase the best of Android
on one of Google’s own phones.
But Google are still a long way behind Samsung.
Huawei, with the Mate X3, Oppo, with the Find N2 Flip, Vivo, with the X Fold 2, which is
only available in China and Motorola, with their razr series of phones are amongst the
best of the rest with other phone makers recently announcing plans to make and release foldable
devices soon.
These competitors will try to differentiate themselves from the dominant smartphone makers
by offering different form factors, designs, materials, and operating system variants for
their foldable devices.
They may also target specific regions where they have a strong presence or niche appeal.
We all know that Apple are notoriously silent on plans for future devices and whether they
are to enter the world of foldable’s is no different, but that doesn't mean they aren’t
working on them behind the scenes.
In fact, there could be some clues that suggest Apple is at least thinking about its own foldable
device in the form of patents.
While the patents that Apple have filed relate to foldable devices.
Patents aren’t a guarantee that a product will ever be released, but they do show the
direction that a company is exploring.
But what these patents and the many more that get filed indicate, is that Apple is trying
to solve some of the challenges that developers and manufacturers of foldable devices face,
such as durability, usability, and the aesthetics.
So, what would happen if Apple actually entered the foldable device market and put something
along side their standard iPhones?
Imagine the scenario, Apple, maker of the iPhone, creates a premium foldable device
that appeals to its loyal fan base and tries to attract new customers who value design
and functionality, sounds like something Apple would do, doesn’t it?
They would leverage brand reputation, software ecosystem, and hardware quality to create
a unique and compelling foldable device that would set a new standard for the industry.
If this was a success, it would boost Apple's sales and market share, and challenge its
competitors to catch up.
Another scenario, is that Apple would create a niche foldable device that would cater to
a specific segment of customers who value novelty and innovation.
Probably very similar to where they are going with the Vision Pro.
Apple could experiment with different form factors and features, possibly similar to
Samsung with their Fold and Flip phones or an iPad-like device, that would offer a different
user experience than its existing products.
This would allow Apple to test the waters and learn from customer feedback, without
risking its core business.
A third scenario, which is always the risk for anyone wanting to bring a new product
to market, is that Apple could create a foldable device that essentially flops and is a market
disaster, where it fails to meet customer expectations and market demand.
Could you imagine?
Then there could be a point where they could face technical difficulties, production delays,
quality issues, things that would compromise its new foldable device.
Alternatively, Apple could just misjudge the customer preferences, pricing strategy, or
marketing approach for its foldable device.
As a worst case scenario, this outcome would damage Apple's reputation and profitability,
and give its competitors that edge.
I’m sure we all know, or can at least imagine, that bringing any device to market isn’t
an easy task, it involves assessing those technical and design challenges and deciding
how those challenges are to be overcome.
Companies like Apple know how to make that standard brick shaped phone because they have
been doing it for ages, just simply refining their process every year to get to their current
iterations of their designs.
But foldables come with a whole different set of challenges.
Imagine executives sitting around a table, in the workshops, in the labs, deciding how
to facilitate that repeated folding and unfolding without damaging the screen or the hinge,
while at the same time making the bendable screen resistant to scratches and cracks and
at the same time as that reducing that crease to a minimum.
An Apple Foldable needs to provide a seamless and intuitive user experience across different
modes and orientations.
The screen has to adapt to the changes in size, shape, and aspect ratio, and the software
has to support existing apps and accessories that are designed for standard screen sizes
and shapes, multitasking, continuity, and compatibility.
Samsung foldables have features like immersive display, app continuity, and Flex mode that
allow users to switch seamlessly between the cover and main displays, use multiple apps
simultaneously, and adjust the screen angle for optimal viewing.
These features make users more productive, creative, and entertained with their foldable
devices.
But for Apple to do this, it requires working with developers to ensure a smooth user experience
by developing new user interfaces, gestures, and applications that can optimise the foldable
display.
But we all know how good Apple can be at that software and hardware integration along with
making sure its products work well within the ecosystem.
Foldable devices have to appeal to the customers' preferences and expectations in terms of design
and functionality.
The device has to be compact, lightweight, and ergonomic, while also offering a large
and immersive screen.
The device also has to look attractive and stylish, while also being practical and durable.
In a fine balancing of form and function, as well as innovation and familiarity.
While we’ve so far talked about the development of a potential foldable device from Apple,
we’ve not discussed the impacts it will have for potential consumers like yourself,
who will buy this foldable iPhone or iPad.
If we look at the foldables on the market now, you can see the trend, they aren’t
cheap and an Apple foldable will be no different, they are more expensive than a conventional
smartphone due to that complex design, the engineering involved and of course, the profit
the company want to make.
For many people, the price of foldable devices will deter some potential buyers who are not
willing to pay a premium price and the benefits that come from devices with this form factor.
I think there’s a novelty and convenience about foldable devices, as well as the nostalgia
factor of flip phones, from that original Motorola Razr.
We all have different expectations for the durability, performance, features, and battery
life of our phones and we’ve seen that with some foldable phones the sacrifices that were
made are quite clear to see.
Foldable devices have the potential to influence our behaviour while we use them, like content
consumption, if we can see a notification on the closed screen of the phone it may mean
less time getting distracted by hours of doom scrolling that could be the normal occurrence
of using a normal phone.
For app developers, foldable devices pose new challenges and opportunities for adapting
their apps to different sizes, orientations, and postures.
For content consumers, foldable devices could offer more immersive and engaging experiences
with larger and richer displays.
For gamers, these devices could enable more dynamic and interactive gameplay with multiple
modes and perspectives.
But of course, these scenarios are hypothetical and speculative.
Apple creating a foldable device could have some benefits for its customers and its brand
image, but it could also face some challenges and trade-offs in terms of durability, cost,
and compatibility.
Apple making foldable devices could trigger various reactions from its competitors, ranging
from aggressive to defensive to innovative by potentially stimulating more growth and
diversity in this emerging form factor.
Apple has not yet confirmed or denied any plans for a foldable device, but rumours suggest
that it is exploring this possibility, and we do know that Apple is always looking for
ways to innovate and surprise its customers, but could it make a foldable iPhone or iPad
that not only meets their own high standards of quality but also delivers that customer
satisfaction.
Until then, we can only speculate and imagine what a foldable device from Apple would look
like and how it would work.
But don't be surprised if one day you see an Apple logo on a foldable device.
What do you think about foldable devices?
Would you buy a foldable iPhone?
Why or why not?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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