Other Apple is last to the foldables market in the US.

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I wouldn't recommend buying an expensive smartphone, such as the iPhone Pro, Pro Max, "Ultra", or Fold, without an AppleCare+ warranty. Whichever one you buy, those are too expensive not to back up with a warranty.

I use a case and screen protector. My last phone before I got my 13 Pro was a 7 Plus and that baby lasted me six years. Not a single repair needed.

I think I will be fine, because unlike most iPhone users I actually take care of my phone and don’t do stupid stuff with it.

To your second point I would add that by the time Apple makes an iPhone Fold, which Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says won't come until 2025 at the earliest, you're not going to see an iPhone Fold suffering from bad design. The latest foldable phones have improved in durability since the first ones went on sale, and the technology is going to keep getting better before the iPhone Fold debuts.

But then comes the other issue with foldables: Why would I buy one? It’s a cool concept, but what use does it give me?

“We can have bigger displays!” But 6‘1 is plenty for me. I don’t need anything bigger. If I did I would’ve gotten a Pro Max.

“It protects the display from scratches in the pocket.” My screen protector already does that.

”It looks cool.” It does but the cost and reliability is too much, combined with that god damn crease. Plus I don’t care about phones like most do. I just want a phone that works which is why I have an iPhone instead of the more outlandish Androids.

So while an iPhone foldable will probably be good, I can’t see a reason for me to get one.

 

[257Loner]

After more thought, it may not be so easy for Apple to develop a foldable iPhone. Besides the software limitations of iOS, Apple would have to rely on Samsung for the foldable display (much like how Apple relies on Samsung Display right now for iPhones).

I've been thinking more on this, and I believe that Apple is waiting until they can secure a contract for less expensive flexible AMOLEDs before releasing a more profitable iPhone Fold.

According to a 2021 report by The Elec, Apple "initially planned to launch its first MacBook with an OLED panel in 2025 but this plan is likely to be postponed" because "The biggest obstacle for Cupertino in applying OLED has been the cost."

Apple shouldn't wait forever for flexible AMOLED prices to come down and the technology to mature and cost themselves the opportunity to lead in the folding smartphone market. If 2025 is the earliest that Apple enters the foldables market, it might be just in time, or it might be too late.

 

[257Loner]

But then comes the other issue with foldables: Why would I buy one? It’s a cool concept, but what use does it give me?

“We can have bigger displays!” But 6‘1 is plenty for me. I don’t need anything bigger. If I did I would’ve gotten a Pro Max.

Or a VR headset, right? You've said you love those...

I am. I love VR and Mixed Reality

VR is the next generation of computing

• It's extra displays for your Mac

Last year, Alan Truly at Screen Rant argued that "If the whole world becomes a screen, bulky smartphones that unfold into a somewhat small tablet would feel very antiquated." Do you take his point of view?

 

[monstermash]

Apple could make a totally awesome, flaw-free folding device. I'm still not going to want one, any more than I would want a Tesla, even if they drop the price of the most expensive one down to $30K.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Or a VR headset, right? You've said you love those...



Last year, Alan Truly at Screen Rant argued that "If the whole world becomes a screen, bulky smartphones that unfold into a somewhat small tablet would feel very antiquated." Do you take his point of view?

No because I’m not a fan of tablets like I used to be. There’s a difference between a mixed reality HMD and a foldable phone. The difference being I’m holding the latter and it’s too big for my hand. 6’1 is my cutoff size. I tried the Pro Max and it was just too big for me, same with the Galaxy Fold when I tried that

 

[Apple_Robert]

Google is releasing a foldable whose images have been leaked.
Samsung is on their 4th-generation foldable.
Even Microsoft has a kind of foldable for sale.

Thanks to Google's new foldable, there will now be 3 foldables available in the US from major tech companies, and Apple, the inventor of the modern smartphone, will not be among them. I know Tim Cook is the "most successful CEO ever" when measured by the increase in his company's market capitalization, but it's embarrassing that the inventor of the modern smartphone was beaten to foldables by the competition.

Contrary to popular, misguided belief, a foldable phone is not a must have priority for most people.

If having a foldable phone is so important to you, get rid of Apple and buy an Android foldable.

 

[257Loner]

No because I’m not a fan of tablets like I used to be. There’s a difference between a mixed reality HMD and a foldable phone. The difference being I’m holding the latter and it’s too big for my hand. 6’1 is my cutoff size. I tried the Pro Max and it was just too big for me, same with the Galaxy Fold when I tried that

I have to admit I was inspired by your posts because they got me thinking that Apple may go their own route and avoid the folding phone trend altogether. Apple "loves to own the primary technology” of the products they sell, Tim Cook said in a 2021 New York Times interview. Flexible AMOLEDs are the core technologies of Korean tech giants LG and Samsung. Apple core technologies include Multi-Touch and iOS, and may soon include the tech behind their upcoming AR/VR headset.

As your post pointed out, an AR/VR headset can add virtual screens to any compatible computing device. Apple could virtually increase the size of the iPhone’s screen with their AR/VR headset without using one of Samsung’s or LG’s flexible displays.

 

[monstermash]

Contrary to popular, misguided belief, a foldable phone is not a must have priority for most people.

If having a foldable phone is so important to you, get rid of Apple and buy an Android foldable.

Maybe the EU will find a way to sue Apple for not offering a folding device....perhaps on the basis of having a monopoly on not offering a folding device. Surely a major tech company that isn't offering what all the others are offering must be doing something illegal, immoral and just plain evil.

 

[OneBar]

You don't take work/business calls ever on a phone? In today's world, with the state of tech and all that computational power in a smartphone, it's a waste not to utilize a phone's full capabilities. Taking a Zoom or Teams meeting on my mobile is a lot more common nowadays since the pandemic. It is just an extension of doing FaceTime, and is a whole lot easier on a larger foldable screen. And it's not just for work/business.

Our kid's school has meetings sometimes where you can attend in-person or virtually online. We can't always physically make it to the meeting but appreciate being able to connect through Zoom when we're away from home. My wife prefers to do the Zoom meeting in my foldable than her iPhone for obvious reasons.

There are some prototype rollables but the mechanisms are slow and more delicate than today's foldable design. Amazing what's being imagined with flexible glass, such as a wearable display that wraps around your wrist for a more elegant smartwatch. A pretty expensive fashion statement if it comes to market but just the engineering is impressive to me.

The only work related calls I take on my personal phone are emergency calls from my boss he's out of the office and needs me quickly and directly. Otherwise no. I don't give out my personal number to business contacts. Made that mistake once years ago and had people calling me on weekends for a month wanting to know if I could work on their stuff.

My wife is a teacher at our younger two's school so she handles the meetings there and my oldest is in college so we don't do PTCs with her anymore but we did those in person when she was still in PS.

 

[OneBar]

I wouldn't recommend buying an expensive smartphone, such as the iPhone Pro, Pro Max, "Ultra", or Fold, without an AppleCare+ warranty. Whichever one you buy, those are too expensive not to back up with a warranty.

To your second point I would add that by the time Apple makes an iPhone Fold, which Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says won't come until 2025 at the earliest, you're not going to see an iPhone Fold suffering from bad design. The latest foldable phones have improved in durability since the first ones went on sale, and the technology is going to keep getting better before the iPhone Fold debuts.

The cost of AC+ will buy so many cases and screen protectors. Drop damage accounts for most of the warranty claims so instead of having to have my phone repaired and wait for it to go out and come back, which also takes an hour drive to get to the nearest store, I put my phones in cases and use screen glass. My iP11PM looks almost brand new aside from a few nicks on the screen from when it didn't have a screen protector on it.

I doubt that the first foldable iPhone will be free from bad design. These forums are full of people lamenting "bad design" on the current devices. It'll happen.

 

[monstermash]

Liquid damage is what killed my last three phones. The last one was destroyed when I manage to spill liquid on it while I was asleep. Go figure.

The one before that...I was riding my motorcycle in the rain and decided to move my phone from my pants pocket to my zippered jacket pocket on my waterproof jacket. Little did I know that pocket had already filled up with water because it was unzipped.

Before that, dropped it in a glass of v-8 juice over breakfast. Oops.

All were in cases and had screen protectors.

 

[257Loner]

The cost of AC+ will buy so many cases and screen protectors. Drop damage accounts for most of the warranty claims so instead of having to have my phone repaired and wait for it to go out and come back, which also takes an hour drive to get to the nearest store, I put my phones in cases and use screen glass. My iP11PM looks almost brand new aside from a few nicks on the screen from when it didn't have a screen protector on it.

I doubt that the first foldable iPhone will be free from bad design. These forums are full of people lamenting "bad design" on the current devices. It'll happen.

If someone uses an inexpensive smartphone, I agree that it would be cheaper to put it in a case and not buy an extended warranty. However, for the most expensive devices such as MacBook Pros and iPhone Pro Max or Fold, an extended warranty sounds like a safe insurance policy.

 

[DaveEcc]

...iPhone Fold.

Would it not be a üPhone?

 

[257Loner]

Would it not be a üPhone?

Or WiiPhone! 🤣

 

[DaveEcc]

Or WiiPhone! 🤣

Even better. That W unfolds into a 4-screen long screen.

Imagining all the extremely vertical videos people will share from it is not a happy thought.

 

[OneBar]

If someone uses an inexpensive smartphone, I agree that it would be cheaper to put it in a case and not buy an extended warranty. However, for the most expensive devices such as MacBook Pros and iPhone Pro Max or Fold, an extended warranty sounds like a safe insurance policy.

Never had Apple Care and never had a device failure or breakage. 4s, 6s, 8+, 11 Pro Max. When we get 15 Pro Maxes we won't get it on those, either. Wife doesn't have it on her '18 Air and oldest doesn't have it on her '22 Air. By all means, get it if you're prone to smashing your devices, but for the majority of us it's not really necessary if protective measures are taken.

 

[janeauburn]

Google is releasing a foldable whose images have been leaked.
Samsung is on their 4th-generation foldable.
Even Microsoft has a kind of foldable for sale.

Thanks to Google's new foldable, there will now be 3 foldables available in the US from major tech companies, and Apple, the inventor of the modern smartphone, will not be among them. I know Tim Cook is the "most successful CEO ever" when measured by the increase in his company's market capitalization, but it's embarrassing that the inventor of the modern smartphone was beaten to foldables by the competition.

Foldable means fatter, right? The last thing I want is a fat(ter) phone.

 

[257Loner]

Foldable means fatter, right? The last thing I want is a fat(ter) phone.

I understand that everyone will have a preference for a certain size of smartphone. Some will want a regular, mini, plus, or foldable. Apple used to compete in 3 of those categories (mini, regular, plus). I wish they'd compete in all 4.

 

[wproct]

I have no interest in a foldable, zip, nada. Something bendable in all temperatures is eventually gonna crack, IMO.

 

[naturalguy]

Apple will make a foldable at some point and people will buy it

 

[trevpimp]

I don't think there is a market for foldable phones at least as of yet, price margins and exclusivity is way too high for Apple to make their move, if I were Apple I will wait till the market is ready for that next big thing especially when foldable phones have reached its full potential and popularity.

Ps. I purchased a Samsung Flip 3 and within one year the phone started malfunctioning and now the phone is bricked (screen line defect etc)