No matter how big of an Android fan you are, there's no way to ignore Apple in the smartphone space. They have more than 60% of the market share in the United States, so when the tech giant makes serious moves with their smartphones, other manufacturers hold their breath and watch.
It looks like Apple is planning to make one of the biggest design changes since the inception of the iPhone. Yep, that trend is becoming increasingly popular: we might see the first Apple foldable in some years.
Is Apple Finally Ready To Jump Into The Foldable Arena?
The Apple iPhone is one of the most important smartphones ever made, and as much as I am an Android lover, I don't hesitate to admit that. While the phone has undergone many design changes, it has always remained a bar phone. But that might change soon. According to a report from The Information, the Cupertino-based company has been working on prototypes for its first foldable device.
The first commercially released foldable came out in 2018, so Apple is late to the party, but the delay is not denial. The report states that the prototypes are clamshell models like the Z Flip and Motorola Razr. Apple also wants to prioritize thinness to ensure the device isn't too thick when closed. The Honor Magic V2 did it, so it is possible from an engineering perspective.
The reports also claim that the company seems to favor a foldable with the screen on the outside when folded, but I'd personally advise taking that part with a pinch of salt. Even with all of this, these devices may never be released, as there's nothing relating to them in Apple's production schedule for this year and the next. Ultimately, not all prototypes develop into a consumer product.
A Better Time Than Ever For Foldables
If there had ever been a better time to jump into the foldable market as a consumer or a manufacturer, I must have missed it. The market segment is now a raging beast, with multiple giant brands participating in it. Just last year, Google and OnePlus, two major smartphone brands, launched their first foldables. Most companies in the space are yet to bow out, either.
This is why the reports of Apple developing prototypes for their first foldable don't surprise me. It's about time that they get a nicely refined foldable to market. It'll help inject new life into the segment, too, and a little competition never hurt anyone.
Apple Is A Trendsetter That Takes Its Time
Apple sets a lot of trends in the smartphone space, and to be honest, it can get annoying to watch bigger, self-respecting brands shamelessly copy trends. No matter how you want to look at it, Apple leads in many aspects of smartphone design.
Remember the headphone jack saying bye? Once Apple did it, there was a wave of other brands following. Titanium frames and flat edges? We'll likely see many more of those now, especially after the S24 phones did it. The original iPhone itself set the trend of touchscreen devices!
Once Apple dives into foldable, it might also change how we look at those devices. Who knows, but I know I can't wait to see what they might come out with.
