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

[jimmy_uk]

When they can make them out of real glass (not polymer glass that is super easy to scratch/mark) without a crease, maybe two screens that become one with no visible divide, I'm in. I use my iPhone like a do-everything device, so a larger screen I can shrink down for my pocket is welcome.

 

[Naraxus]

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.

Big deal. I'd rather Apple take the time to get it right, specifically the fold/crease part rather than rush some pos to market to claim "ferst"

 

[BostonQuad]

it's embarrassing that the inventor of the modern smartphone was beaten to foldables by the competition.

This sounds a lot like a post I read shortly before the iPad came out. Someone (HP if memory serves) came out with a Windows touchscreen computer, and someone ranted that it was a shame that Apple didn't do it first.

It wasn't a shame then, and it's not embarrassing now.

 

[macfacts]

Foldable are a gimmick.

VR/AR is a gimmick. (Fixed that for you)

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

When apple enters the foldable market, they will take it from ultra niche to more mainstream.

They will do the same with headsets.

Just like smartphones became the norm because of iPhone, so will foldables and headsets.

 

[Realityck]

When apple enters the foldable market, they will take it from ultra niche to more mainstream.

Its OK to think Apple might be able to help this industry, but do they really need to?

Is the foldable marketplace anything more than pitching something easier to break, more of a throw away device as far as Alphabet, Samsung are concerned?

Its like this needs another generation of devices to approach it from some new twist instead of the foldable's you have now which is something they pretend doesn't break like those Samsung foldable's , reference the earlier article I posted.

 

[eyoungren]

This sounds a lot like a post I read shortly before the iPad came out. Someone (HP if memory serves) came out with a Windows touchscreen computer, and someone ranted that it was a shame that Apple didn't do it first.

It wasn't a shame then, and it's not embarrassing now.

There was a small point in time where a tech company was converting aluminum PowerBook G4s into touchscreen Macs. Basically, it functioned like a normal G4, but you could bend the screen all the back until it was flat against the bottom of the Mac. I was considering sending them one of my Macs.

Then Apple came out with the iPad.

And I never heard about that tech company again.

 

[eyoungren]

When apple enters the foldable market, they will take it from ultra niche to more mainstream.

They will do the same with headsets.

Just like smartphones became the norm because of iPhone, so will foldables and headsets.

Hmmmmm…still won't be interested.

I actually like my AfterShokz bone-conduction headset. I'm not an audiophile so being able to listen to music with nothing covering my ears (or in my ears) while still being able to hear is a really cool thing to me.

Especially useful when out walking. You can hear your music AND the car coming up behind you.

 

[Abazigal]

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.

I guess the question then is, so?

The market for foldable seems to be very small and doesn't look like it will explode anytime soon. I see no loss in Apple electing to not enter a market that does not represent the future of smartphones.

Why is it that every time something like this happens, it must always be Apple who is framed as being behind, and not the other companies who are making the wrong bet when it comes to the future of smartphones and technology in general?

 

[Vref]

The especially large Chinese market will, due to their preference for large-screen phones. According to BusinessInsider, "For many Chinese, the phone is also the first, the most important, or even the only computing device they own. "People just use them for more, and therefore appreciate the bigger screen," said Frank Gillett, an analyst at technology research firm Forrester."

Lol, we’ll aside from the chicoms does anyone else want folding screens with that bulge in the middle?

 

[v0lume4]

something something “Apple will wait and perfect it”. Bah.

OP, you’re right. I seldom see new ideas from Apple, it’s always copying and following the real pioneers. Of course there’s exceptions to that, but in the general sense, its true.

 

[jagolden]

I'd actually love to have the Snake game (I think that was the name) that came with my RAZR back on the iPhone (maybe it's available as an app ...) ... you could choose not to install social media apps, games ...

What? You can still choose not to install apps such as social media, games, anything, really.

 

[Newton1701]

As others have said, it’s a solution in search of a problem. My iPhone fits fine in my pocket as it is. I don’t need to make it twice as thick just so it folds in half. That new foldable-screen Moto RAZR is about the best I’ve seen, but no thanks. I don’t need durability issues, or an even more expensive phone. Apple knows what they’re doing. It’s intentional. If they could do it better than competitors, in a way that consumers really want, they would.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

Its OK to think Apple might be able to help this industry, but do they really need to?

Is the foldable marketplace anything more than pitching something easier to break, more of a throw away device as far as Alphabet, Samsung are concerned?

Its like this needs another generation of devices to approach it from some new twist instead of the foldable's you have now which is something they pretend doesn't break like those Samsung foldable's , reference the earlier article I posted.

I’m excited about it for sure. If Apple can solve all that, I’d be all for trying it out to replace iPhone and iPad combo.

I’m not 100% sold that it’d be better, durability being at the top of the list. But I’m definitely excited to see what comes and try it out. The price is definitely a big question mark

 

[neuropsychguy]

My iPhone folds. It wouldn’t work after that but it could fold in half.

 

[AvgMrcl]

I think it's embarrassing that companies still try to convince people that foldable phones are not a complete gimmick. I don't want Apple to make a foldable phone, I don't want to be seen with a phone from a non-reputable company.

 

[Feek]

Someone on here once said "What do you want to see in a foldable phone?"

The answer is very obvious. "Not the fold".

I won't be at all surprised if Apple eventually release a foldable phone and if they do, it'll be one where you can't see the fold.

I don't see what's embarrassing about the fact that Apple haven't released a foldable phone. @257Loner, why are you embarrassed by it?

 

[wellander1]

Moving parts are susceptible to breaking especially in that style.

 

[257Loner]

Aside from the fact that I don't consider foldable phones to be 'cool', is that why you buy an iPhone?

Maybe we're different (I bet we are), but with the exception of the camera bump, I think the current iPhone models do look 'cool'.

But then, I'm partial to industrial design, glass and metal.

As far as need goes…I doubt it. Apple is in no danger of 'uncool' devices not selling.

But Apple is in danger of iPhone sales cooling down if the smartphone concept isn't made "cool" and interesting again. There haven't been many revolutionary changes to the smartphone in a long time. Foldables are new, at least for Apple, and therefore could rejuvenate interest and sales in smartphones again. That same-old slab form factor is starting to get samey!

 

[dwaltwhit]

Until Apple explains to me why I should want a foldable phone, I won’t.

 

[unchecked]

something something “Apple will wait and perfect it”. Bah.

OP, you’re right. I seldom see new ideas from Apple, it’s always copying and following the real pioneers. Of course there’s exceptions to that, but in the general sense, its true.

The thing is why does that matter. Doesn't matter which side anyone is, why are we rooting for any of them?

It's the same with people taking sides with online YouTube/Twitter/Twitch beefs. It's just plain silly.

 

[blairh]

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.

Over four years ago I wrote a post here expressing my desire for a folding iPhone. I know I'm not alone in that club.

I am very frustrated by Apple's lack of development, to date, in this category. If you don't see that foldables are the future then I don't know what to tell you. However foldables are still quite flawed products. So it's not like Samsung or any other OEM is running away with anything at this point.

They are niche devices and will continue to be if they start at $1,800 and don't offer dust protection. Once we make progress on those fronts, then Apple can start to worry.

I do think Apple is going to join the foldables market but not until 2025 at the earliest.

 

[257Loner]

Until Apple explains to me why I should want a foldable phone, I won’t.

Let each of these pictures be worth a thousand words, though coming not from Apple:

 

[eyoungren]

But Apple is in danger of iPhone sales cooling down if the smartphone concept isn't made "cool" and interesting again. There haven't been many revolutionary changes to the smartphone in a long time. Foldables are new, at least for Apple, and therefore could rejuvenate interest and sales in smartphones again. That same-old slab form factor is starting to get samey!

Assuming you are getting that information from a legitimate source, what is the problem here?

Apple is not some barely holding on company just waiting to go under and the iPhone is not the only product they sell.

 

[eyoungren]

If you don't see that foldables are the future then I don't know what to tell you.

They could be my children's future. They are not mine.

I know what I like, and it's not a foldable phone. I'm 52 and I don't see my opinion on that changing before I die.