Apple is reportedly preparing 'iPhone Flip'
Perhaps the time for a foldable iPhone is now ripe. According to reports from suppliers, Apple is preparing a device that folds along a horizontal axis and could therefore become a competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
Speculation has been rife for several years that Apple could launch a foldable iPhone, but until now none of the rumors have been confirmed. Perhaps now is the time, as Samsung recently unveiled the sixth and fifth generations of its Foldable lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. According to a report from "Digitimes", Apple began development of a foldable iPhone this year and plans to launch it in 2026.
The industry news outlet cites articles in South Korean media, which suggest that the device in question is one that folds from top to bottom like the Galaxy Z Flip. When unfolded, it is roughly the size of a regular iPhone. Apple has already signed a contract with Samsung Display (SDC) for the supply of flexible screens, writes "Digitimes".
The company's plans to create a foldable iPhone were clear at least a year ago, when a corresponding patent was filed in the US. However, the most reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believed at the time that the company would first release an "iPad Fold", possibly as early as 2024.
Reaction to Chinese demand
Apple could still present a foldable iPad or a foldable MacBook this year, or even a foldable MacBook is not excluded, but there is currently no evidence for this. According to reports, Apple has changed its plans due to the challenges on the Chinese smartphone market and wants to introduce the iPhone as its first foldable product, so "Digitimes".
"9to5Mac" considers the reports plausible, as the Chinese market is enormously important for Apple and foldable smartphones are already commonplace there. However, an "iPhone Flip" is riskier than implementing the technology first on a larger device.
Apple's market share in China, according to a Counterpoint analysis, was 16% in the first quarter, down from 21% at the end of 2023, which was the highest value since the fourth quarter of 2022 (23%). Apple is said to have recently significantly reduced sales in China through discounts.
The reports from "Digitimes" suggest that Apple is following the trend of foldable smartphones, as they've begun developing a device similar to the Galaxy Z Flip, which folds along a horizontal axis. This potential iPhone could compete with Samsung's Galazy Z Flip series.
With the endorsement of a reliable analyst like Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone have been evident for some time, although they initially considered releasing an "iPad Fold" first. However, the company seems to be altering its strategy due to challenges in the Chinese smartphone market, indicating that the iPhone might be their first foldable product.
