Next year, Apple is reportedly planning to introduce high-priced folding iPhones, according to market analysis.
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Get ready for a futuristic twist in your pocket! According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is cooking up a foldable iPhone for your enjoyment, starting next year.
Kuo mentioned that the foldable iPhone's screen may come from Samsung Display - a company prepared to produce up to eight million foldable panels for the device next year. However, it seems the other device components are still up in the air, including the hinge, Kuo penned down. He hinted that the device will boast a hefty price tag, affectionately dubbed "premium pricing."
Ming-Chi Kuo is a tech whiz at TF International Securities, with a knack for keeping tabs on the Asian electronics supply chain and spilling the beans about Apple products before they're even unveiled at a glitzy launch event. He took to a social media platform to disclose that Apple's plans for the foldable iPhone are not yet set in stone and remain subject to change. Apple responded with a classic "no comment" when CNBC extended an invitation for a comment.
It's no secret that the iPhone accounts for a whopping half of Apple's business and continues to be a cash cow, raking in an incredible $201 billion in sales in 2024. However, the iPhone's revenue peaked in 2022, and Apple is seeking new avenues to attract customers and convince its loyalists to upgrade to their wallet-emptying devices.
Apple isn't strolling into an empty field when it comes to foldable smartphones. Rivals like Huawei and Samsung have already been dishing out the foldable handsets since 2019. The promise of tablet-sized screens that fit snugly in your pants pockets is undeniably appealing. But foldable phones haven't quite shaken off the clunky hardware issues, such as unsightly creases in the foldable display.
The novelty of foldable phones has worn off, and demand has yet to surge significantly, according to research firm TrendForce. The firm reported that only 1.5% of all smartphones sold can fold, while Counterpoint tracked a mere 3% growth in the folding market in 2024 and expects it to shrink in 2025.
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Competitors Huawei and Samsung have been churning out the foldable phones, but it remains to be seen if Apple can bring something new to the table. Apple's foldable iPhone is rumored to have a book-style foldable design, minimizing any visible creases in the display. The device is expected to launch in 2026, stand toe-to-toe with Samsung's Galaxy Z series, and command a premium price tag of around $2,000-$2,500.
Get ready for the next big thing, folks, and get your wallets ready! Apple, Samsung, and Huawei are about to make your pocket-sized tablet dreams a reality with their latest foldable smartphones!
- In the tech markets, the upcoming Apple foldable iPhone, slated for 2026, is expected to challenge Samsung's Galaxy Z series, aiming to offer a unique design that minimizes display creases.
- As the demand for foldable smartphones continues to grow slowly, according to TrendForce and Counterpoint, Apple is positioning its foldable iPhone, rumored to cost upwards of $2,000-$2,500, as a premium device to lure customers and maintain revenue streams in the maturing smartphone markets.
- The decision to invest in a foldable iPhone could potentially impact Apple's overall revenue, especially since the iPhone accounts for half of the company's business, on top of broader considerations such as competitor strategies, interest rates, and stock market trends.
