Other Unpopular opinion? I want an “iPhone Fold”

[1800AirTAG]

I’ve read many different conversations and such with many users who don’t care about a potential “iPhone fold” or straight out think it’s a bad idea.

Meanwhile, I’m here, with an iPhone 14 pro ready to say “my next phone has to be a fold, apple or otherwise”. That said, I’m happy with the apple ecosystem which makes this difficult.

The reason why I want a fold is for the “fun convenience” of having fun tech without needing to have to carry two devices (I’d be ok with an iPad mini size)

Now, OS wise - I have an iPad that I never use because to me it’s still a glorified iOS device. Sure it has improved on multitasking and such, at the end of the day, it can’t replace my MacBook which is what I’d need to justify using it - this is my personal experience, others use it religiously and that’s great for them.

That said, a larger screen can be useful for very specific takes on the go, so having an “iPhone / iPad mini” would be nice, but again, the thought of having to carry two devices is not appealing.

Am I the only one hoping Apple releases a fold?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I’ve read many different conversations and such with many users who don’t care about a potential “iPhone fold” or straight out think it’s a bad idea.

Meanwhile, I’m here, with an iPhone 14 pro ready to say “my next phone has to be a fold, apple or otherwise”. That said, I’m happy with the apple ecosystem which makes this difficult.

The reason why I want a fold is for the “fun convenience” of having fun tech without needing to have to carry two devices (I’d be ok with an iPad mini size)

Now, OS wise - I have an iPad that I never use because to me it’s still a glorified iOS device. Sure it has improved on multitasking and such, at the end of the day, it can’t replace my MacBook which is what I’d need to justify using it - this is my personal experience, others use it religiously and that’s great for them.

That said, a larger screen can be useful for very specific takes on the go, so having an “iPhone / iPad mini” would be nice, but again, the thought of having to carry two devices is not appealing.

Am I the only one hoping Apple releases a fold?

Actually, I'd love to see Apple produce a phone that can fold - I used to love the old 'clam phones' - but, I would also love to see - and this is possibly an equally unpopular opinion - a smaller phone, a far smaller phone, from Apple.

Personally, I loathe these modern monstrosities; I loved the size, convenience, and elegance of the old clam phones, and the only iPhone I have is the old iPhone SE, which is just about small enough to appeal to me.

 

[Allyance]

Just another gimmick that can break. I say that because manufacturers are looking for new features to entice buyers. Apple has always been late to the game until they are sure their product meets their standards. Maybe they will, but understand they do not manufacture the screens.

 

[poorcody]

I would really like to see a folding iPhone. The new Pixel Fold is the first time I've been strongly tempted to buy a non-Apple phone since the iPhone's introduction.

Having the ability to read books anywhere on the go is something I would pay a premium for. The screen size of the folding phones is just big enough to accomplish that, for me.

 

[eyoungren]

If Apple makes a fold, then great for you OP. Go get one.

As long as Apple does not decide that all iPhones from that point on will be foldable, then you can have yours and I can continue to have my non-foldable model iPhone too.

OP, you want a 'fun convenience'. I want my tool to continue to work as it does now. Calls, texts, light email/web browsing when out. I consume my media on larger screens.

Now, below is my viewpoint from around 3:45am to about 8:30pm. 16 to 18 hours a day.



You tell me - do I need a foldable phone?

I REALLY don't think I do.

 

[floral]

I don't like foldable phones, honestly. My reasons for that are because if you use it as a phone, it's heavy and thick. If you use it as a tablet, it's thin, fragile and weak. You have to constantly swap from phone to tablet to get the best of both worlds, when you could instead get something like an iPad mini to just have a good tablet, or an iPhone to have a good phone. It's one or the other, in my opinion. Of course, you could also get both, and then you actually save money versus a foldable in most cases.

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

If Apple makes a fold, then great for you OP. Go get one.

As long as Apple does not decide that all iPhones from that point on will be foldable, then you can have yours and I can continue to have my non-foldable model iPhone too.

OP, you want a 'fun convenience'. I want my tool to continue to work as it does now. Calls, texts, light email/web browsing when out. I consume my media on larger screens.

Now, below is my viewpoint from around 3:45am to about 8:30pm. 16 to 18 hours a day.

View attachment 2201125

You tell me - do I need a foldable phone?

I REALLY don't think I do.

No one is suggesting that you need anything. OP is merely stating that he's excited for the possibility & I am inclined to agree. iPhones have reached a point where yearly upgrades are extremely incremental & it would more than likely take a drastic shakeup, such as a foldable option, for the next leap ahead technology wise to truly take place.

I don't think it's a stretch to say that a foldable iPhone will be coming at some point, although likely a few more years away. Apple tends to be late to the game with many features, but usually knocks it out the park once they are finally implemented. I'm sure there are many consumers that would be extremely excited to see a foldable iPhone, even though there will be some, like yourself, who would have no interest whatsoever. New Apple products (ie. watch ultra) usually do extremely well sales wise & stir up quite a bit of excitement with consumers. I'm sure that's a risk Apple is more than willing to take.

Lastly, the notion that Apple would decide to make all iPhones foldable moving forward is not only laughable, but borderline asinine.

 

[Falhófnir]

I'm sure when Apple do it they will get it right. The Samsung foldable devices have been a bit flaky, with compromises I don't think Apple will want to make. Possibly the delay is because they are waiting for new materials/ technologies, or just that as yet they can't make a foldable iPhone they think will live up to the standards they have set.

 

[eyoungren]

No one is suggesting that you need anything. OP is merely stating that he's excited for the possibility & I am inclined to agree. iPhones have reached a point where yearly upgrades are extremely incremental & it would more than likely take a drastic shakeup, such as a foldable option, for the next leap ahead technology wise to truly take place.

Sorry, I don't see foldable phones as the 'next leap ahead technology'. It's a fad, a gimmick and that's really all it will amount to. OP can still be excited. Plenty of people out there excited about products that sold to a handful of people but not the major masses.

Apple themselves have sold quite a few products like that.

I don't think it's a stretch to say that a foldable iPhone will be coming at some point, although likely a few more years away. Apple tends to be late to the game with many features, but usually knocks it out the park once they are finally implemented. I'm sure there are many consumers that would be extremely excited to see a foldable iPhone, even though there will be some, like yourself, who would have no interest whatsoever. New Apple products (ie. watch ultra) usually do extremely well sales wise & stir up quite a bit of excitement with consumers. I'm sure that's a risk Apple is more than willing to take.

I agree that Apple does it right when they finally do it. I just don't think they are going to do a foldable. It's kind of the same willing something into existence (that doesn't exist) as those who want the headphone jack back and Touch ID again. It's not going to happen.

And quite frankly, I believe the market for people who think it's cool to 'unfold' their phone into something larger is not there. It's vocal though (here at least), so there's that.

Lastly, the notion that Apple would decide to make all iPhones foldable moving forward is not only laughable, but borderline asinine.

Really? So, when Apple decided that all Macs after the iMac would not have floppy drives anymore that wasn't real? How about iPhones without headphone jacks? How about TouchID?

Apple does what it wants and tells the customer to eat it. I'm not saying they WILL decide to do this. But they could. They've done it before.

 

[MathersMahmood]

It may be an unpopular opinion but that's only because Apple hasn't done one. once apple makes one everyone on here bashing foldables will be talking about how it "changes the way I use my phone" and "its so versatile i cant go back to a slab phone".

I have noticed on this forum that a large majority of users bash the competitors and their products and when apple does the same thing its somehow revolutionary.

 

[1800AirTAG]

If Apple makes a fold, then great for you OP. Go get one.

As long as Apple does not decide that all iPhones from that point on will be foldable, then you can have yours and I can continue to have my non-foldable model iPhone too.

OP, you want a 'fun convenience'. I want my tool to continue to work as it does now. Calls, texts, light email/web browsing when out. I consume my media on larger screens.

Now, below is my viewpoint from around 3:45am to about 8:30pm. 16 to 18 hours a day.

View attachment 2201125

You tell me - do I need a foldable phone?

I REALLY don't think I do.

I can tell you are very passionate about this. To be very clear, I am not trying to stir anything up here. As stated, this is an unpopular opinion - opinion is the keyword.

I understand that most users don't care or flat out don't want one, and I highly doubt Apple will release a foldable to replace any model - especially with the price tag, which would probably be similar to Google Fold or Samsung fold.

Yes, it is 100% a gimmick, but gimmicks sell because they can be fun.
No one NEEDS a foldable, just like no one needs FaceID, TouchID, etc, these things just make people lives easier, which I am sure some would find a foldable useful, because if they didn't Samsung and Google probably wouldn't be investing in the tech.

As I have been following rumors for years now, I have always read the "unpopular" that became irrelevant:

• Removing the headphone jack will affect sales
• The notch will make it ugly and affect sales
• No USB-C, No iPhone for me
• etc

yet, Apple releases it, and we go for it because we love what they produce and the tech works.

The reason for this post is not to see who doesn't want it, there any many, many other posts with that specific subject, but more so I am curious to see, realistically, if Apple actually were to release some version of a foldable, how many would actually opt to get it or at least be curious enough about it to give it a shot and see if they really like it, don't like it or are indifferent to it.

That is all I am trying to see

 

[DarthDon]

It will never come. Displays will not last for years. Maaaaaayyyyybbbbeeeee - something like microsoft did. Two displays with hinges or something like that...

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Sorry, I don't see foldable phones as the 'next leap ahead technology'. It's a fad, a gimmick and that's really all it will amount to. OP can still be excited. Plenty of people out there excited about products that sold to a handful of people but not the major masses.

Apple themselves have sold quite a few products like that.



I agree that Apple does it right when they finally do it. I just don't think they are going to do a foldable. It's kind of the same willing something into existence (that doesn't exist) as those who want the headphone jack back and Touch ID again. It's not going to happen.

And quite frankly, I believe the market for people who think it's cool to 'unfold' their phone into something larger is not there. It's vocal though (here at least), so there's that.


Really? So, when Apple decided that all Macs after the iMac would not have floppy drives anymore that wasn't real? How about iPhones without headphone jacks? How about TouchID?

Apple does what it wants and tells the customer to eat it. I'm not saying they WILL decide to do this. But they could. They've done it before.

If it's only a fad or gimmick, then why would you even suggest they would change their entire lineup to only that? I can't say I know many multi-billion dollar companies that are willing to sacrifice profit margins on their most lucrative product. I would not be willing to die on a hill that silly.

Also, I'm not sure I see a correlation between removing a floppy drive on a desktop to completely revamping their entire iPhone lineup to become all foldable. Calling that a false equivalence would be an understatement. Whether or not they decide to make a foldable is just speculation at this point. However, to suggest that there isn't a market for a foldable iPhone is extremely shortsighted. Especially when the company has a history of releasing extremely niche versions of their products.

Again, no one is trying to tell you what to be interested in. I'm just telling you what I'm interested in.

 

[DarthDon]

If Apple makes a fold, then great for you OP. Go get one.

As long as Apple does not decide that all iPhones from that point on will be foldable, then you can have yours and I can continue to have my non-foldable model iPhone too.

OP, you want a 'fun convenience'. I want my tool to continue to work as it does now. Calls, texts, light email/web browsing when out. I consume my media on larger screens.

Now, below is my viewpoint from around 3:45am to about 8:30pm. 16 to 18 hours a day.

View attachment 2201125

You tell me - do I need a foldable phone?

I REALLY don't think I do.

Heck, i thought about something like that. But i did it with one big Samsung TV

 

[GMShadow]

Economics will ensure this either never happens or happens on a very small scale. These folding phones are *expensive*. They’re not going to make the base iPhone nearly double in price.

OP, you want a gimmick. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s going to be a device that’s not really good at anything because it’s trying to do too much.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Apple sells more Macs in a year than all foldable’s combined.
Apple also sells more iPads in a year than foldables combined.
Unless this market absolutely takes off in the next two years or so, I don’t think Apple will ever make a folding phone, mainly for one reason. Lack of profits.
I mean look at the pixel fold, Google is literally offering $900 for an iPhone 14 Pro 128 GB to get the fold. That’s only $100 less than the cost to purchase the iPhone 14 Pro outright.
Google is basically paying people to try out this phone, and my guess is they don’t even plan on making any profits off of it.
Apple would never release a product they basically have to pay people to use, and they certainly wouldn’t release a product that isn’t profitable in the long run.
Literally just putting all of the flaws and all of the benefits of a foldable to the side for a second, it would make absolutely no financial sense for Apple to do that right now other than… “Well Google and Samsung do it, so we should too.”
they wouldn’t be making their own foldable displays, it’s one more reason someone shouldn’t buy a separate phone and tablet from Apple, and it still wouldn’t even come close to the sales of the standard slab iPhones.
Also, there’s just simply no way around it, a folding phone is less durable than us standard phone. It just is, and the influx of replacements and repairs Apple would have to do when the folding screens inevitably start breaking on people would be another financial hit. They already played the “mess around and find out” game when it comes to durability with the butterfly keyboards and the iPhone 6+ Bending, and it did not go well. I don’t think they’re ready to start playing that game again. The second Apple foldable’s start to have a pattern of unreliability, the class action lawsuits are inevitable.
Google can make folding phones because hardware barely makes them money.
Samsung can make folding phones because they’ve made flooding the market with every type of phone imaginable basically their bread and butter.
Apple is neither of these things, most of their money comes from hardware sales, and they are very limited in the type of devices they release.
You also didn’t see Apple making competitors to the Galaxy Beam or the Galaxy Round 10 years ago.

 

[eyoungren]

Heck, i thought about something like that. But i did it with one big Samsung TV

👍

Ten years ago the boss at my old job got me a MacPro with a video card that could support three displays. At the time I had a G4 Quicksilver at home. I could not allow my work Mac to have more displays than my own Quicksilver.

Three video cards later I had six displays and that's what I've had since.

I chose an industry to work in that is computer oriented (graphic design). And that has meant I've always had access to larger displays and the ability to use work computers for personal stuff during work time. It's never been a problem because I always get my work done.

So at work or home, I have no need for a foldable. Now I work from home, so it matters even less than that.

I will say I have given thought to one or two larger curved displays though.

 

[eyoungren]

I can tell you are very passionate about this. To be very clear, I am not trying to stir anything up here. As stated, this is an unpopular opinion - opinion is the keyword.

I understand that most users don't care or flat out don't want one, and I highly doubt Apple will release a foldable to replace any model - especially with the price tag, which would probably be similar to Google Fold or Samsung fold.

Yes, it is 100% a gimmick, but gimmicks sell because they can be fun.
No one NEEDS a foldable, just like no one needs FaceID, TouchID, etc, these things just make people lives easier, which I am sure some would find a foldable useful, because if they didn't Samsung and Google probably wouldn't be investing in the tech.

As I have been following rumors for years now, I have always read the "unpopular" that became irrelevant:

• Removing the headphone jack will affect sales
• The notch will make it ugly and affect sales
• No USB-C, No iPhone for me
• etc

yet, Apple releases it, and we go for it because we love what they produce and the tech works.

The reason for this post is not to see who doesn't want it, there any many, many other posts with that specific subject, but more so I am curious to see, realistically, if Apple actually were to release some version of a foldable, how many would actually opt to get it or at least be curious enough about it to give it a shot and see if they really like it, don't like it or are indifferent to it.

That is all I am trying to see

My very first iPhone was the iPhone 5. I got it on launch day 2012 (preordered) and I was really happy about it.

But I didn't get that phone because it was or could be fun. That's never been a reason for me to purchase a phone, a computer, an iPad, or anything else tech. I buy these things because they solve problems. Now is it great to have shiny new tools? Sure it is. But they are still tools.

I DO get some sort of satisfaction when USING a tool allows me to get something done. And that is why I choose iOS over Android. So I'm passionate about tools that can do the job, specifically tools that are designed specifically for the job they are intended to do.

A foldable phone is the equivalent of using a crescent wrench when you have a range of box wrenches to choose from. It works, but it's not the same as using a 10mm wrench for a 10mm bolt.

And that is what Apple understands. They create devices (phones, tablets, computers, etc) for specific purposes - not the equivalent of crescent wrenches.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I still look at a folding phone and consider it either a brick of a smartphone or a mediocre tablet.

The number of times I need or want a larger screen while on the go is almost 0. When I'm at home, I have my iPad.

 

[antiprotest]

You want what you want, so there's nothing wrong with it.

But I'd not want a fold unless it folds out to the size of an iPad mini but does not weigh more than my iPhone Pro, is not thicker than my iPhone Pro (so that when unfolded, it would be HALF as thick as my current iPhone), and has at least the battery life of my iPhone Pro.

And for now, I think that's impossible.

 

[NeonNights]

It would be awesome if Apple released a premium foldable iPhone. I'm already using a Fold 4 and love it.

No harm in Apple offering a foldable. Those that want it will buy it and the rest can still get the old design. Besides, what else do we have to look forward to in iPhone design? Haptic buttons? More iOS emojis?

 

[Expos of 1969]

Apple sells more Macs in a year than all foldable’s combined.
Apple also sells more iPads in a year than foldables combined.
Unless this market absolutely takes off in the next two years or so, I don’t think Apple will ever make a folding phone, mainly for one reason. Lack of profits.
I mean look at the pixel fold, Google is literally offering $900 for an iPhone 14 Pro 128 GB to get the fold. That’s only $100 less than the cost to purchase the iPhone 14 Pro outright.
Google is basically paying people to try out this phone, and my guess is they don’t even plan on making any profits off of it.
Apple would never release a product they basically have to pay people to use, and they certainly wouldn’t release a product that isn’t profitable in the long run.
Literally just putting all of the flaws and all of the benefits of a foldable to the side for a second, it would make absolutely no financial sense for Apple to do that right now other than… “Well Google and Samsung do it, so we should too.”
they wouldn’t be making their own foldable displays, it’s one more reason someone shouldn’t buy a separate phone and tablet from Apple, and it still wouldn’t even come close to the sales of the standard slab iPhones.
Also, there’s just simply no way around it, a folding phone is less durable than us standard phone. It just is, and the influx of replacements and repairs Apple would have to do when the folding screens inevitably start breaking on people would be another financial hit. They already played the “mess around and find out” game when it comes to durability with the butterfly keyboards and the iPhone 6+ Bending, and it did not go well. I don’t think they’re ready to start playing that game again. The second Apple foldable’s start to have a pattern of unreliability, the class action lawsuits are inevitable.
Google can make folding phones because hardware barely makes them money.
Samsung can make folding phones because they’ve made flooding the market with every type of phone imaginable basically their bread and butter.
Apple is neither of these things, most of their money comes from hardware sales, and they are very limited in the type of devices they release.
You also didn’t see Apple making competitors to the Galaxy Beam or the Galaxy Round 10 years ago.

You may have made some good points but I did not bother reading this block of text. A blank line between paragraphs would make it easier for folks to digest.

 

[MrMojo1]

Someone seriously explain the purpose of a foldable iPhone.
What can't the current iPhone (or iPad) can't do? That's more of an iOS issue.
Forget the 'fun to experiment' aspect and fanboy answers as no average person will want to pay a high price just to 'play' with the device and to use it show it off to appease their ego.
It sounds like a gimmick and a very expensive toy for those with money to spend.

 

[NeonNights]

Someone seriously explain the purpose of a foldable iPhone.
What can't the current iPhone (or iPad). can't do? That's more of an iOS issue.
Forget the 'fun to experiment' aspect and fanboy answers as no average person will want to pay a high price just to 'play' with the device and to use it show it off to appease their ego.
It sounds like a gimmick and a very expensive toy for those with money to spend.

I will gladly explain.

The secret sauce is the multitasking/multiwindow that iOS/iPadOS completely lacks. And, no, Stage Manager doesn’t cut it. My previous iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPad Pro 12.9 still cannot do all the things my Fold 4 can do. Please reference the post here for more detail.

 

[Wokis]

Following "bendgate" when people sat on their phones and blamed Apple, I don't see them going for something as fragile as a foldable until we have glass and hinges with magic properties.

I can see them being super-useful but if Apple could get away with marketing it as a bendable iPad rather than a phone, I think maybe they'll take that approach. Maybe they can bake in some "be careful with it" mentality if marketing it as such.