Almost six years after that launch, Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch its answer to the foldable phone – which could be named the ‘iPhone fold’, with reports placing the cost of the smartphone at around $2,090, Tech Radar reported; the manufacturer’s most expensive phone yet.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman – who has been cited as having an 86.5% accuracy rate regarding Apple rumours that turned out to be correct – reported that Apple’s device will look similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold portfolio and use many of the same components, notably the OLED screen.
It’s expected to have a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal display, something that will raise consumer interest and acceptance of foldables, according to TrendForce.
TrendForce estimated that shipments of foldable phones will reach 19.8 million units in 2025, with a market penetration rate of around 1.6%. Samsung currently leads the foldable segment, but growing competition from other brands including Huawei and Xiaomi is posing a challenge.
Key barriers for these smartphones remain concerns about durability, crease visibility, and high pricing. TrendForce noted that for consumers who aren’t loyal to specific brands, the incentive to switch to a foldable smartphone is relatively low.
The electronics behind such a device are complex. The flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) is the most important component, made up of plastic substrates instead of rigid glass, which allows the screen to fold without shattering.
It also relies on multi-layer flexible PCBs or rigid-flex PCBs to connect circuits across the hinge section of the smartphone.
Samsung has gone a step further in confirming plans to launch a tri-fold smartphone by the end of this year, following the unveiling of the latest in its foldable line-up; the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip7. The Fold7 introduced a new Armor FlexHinge design, incorporating a multi-rail structure to reduce visible creasing and improve stress distribution.
Apple held 57% of the smartphone market share, Counterpoint Research reported, in part contributed by the launch of the iPhone 16e.
