Apple has remained notably absent from the foldable smartphone market, whilst opponents corresponding to Samsung and Huawei have spent years refining the shape issue. Whereas the Cupertino big’s first foldable merchandise could also be approaching, they’re nonetheless just a few years out, and thus their potential impression on Apple’s barely down enterprise forecast stays unsure.
In keeping with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s foldable iPhone remains to be within the planning phases regardless of studies indicating the undertaking has been in improvement for nearly a decade. Nonetheless, a brand new super-thin iPhone “Air” mannequin is reportedly set to debut within the second half of this 12 months.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be extremely skinny, with the “thinnest half” probably measuring simply 5.5mm. This excessive thinness may lead to a tapered design or rounded edges, however it’ll additionally require compromises. Notably, the machine might lack a bodily SIM card tray, relying completely on eSIM. Whereas this is not a difficulty in markets just like the U.S., it may hinder gross sales in China, the place bodily SIM playing cards are customary. Moreover, the skinny design might necessitate a smaller battery and fewer cameras.
This evaluation follows data from The Wall Avenue Journal, which suggests that Apple plans to revitalize gross sales with a brand new iPhone that might value lower than the Professional fashions (which in itself would not make them cheap, nor mainstream priced).
Hypothesis round Apple’s foldable gadgets has circulated since at the least 2016. Earlier studies from Kuo and different analysts point out that the undertaking has confronted repeated inner delays however may materialize as early as 2026 or 2027. Moreover, ultra-large foldable iPads and MacBooks may be below improvement.
Apple’s main problem reportedly lies in designing a sturdy folding hinge and display screen. Even producers with years of expertise in foldables, like Samsung, proceed to face reliability points, as TechSpot writers can attest.
December 2024 iPhone shipments in China reportedly declined by about 10% year-over-year, and world shipments for Q1 2025 are forecasted to drop by roughly 6%.
Apple can also be anticipated to launch the iPhone SE 4 in March, which could embrace Apple Intelligence options. Nonetheless, there may be little proof that the GenAI toolchain, which is unique to Apple’s latest {hardware}, is pushing customers to improve. Studies of inaccurate information summaries actually will not assist.
Moreover, a current survey signifies that customers aren’t concerned with Apple Intelligence, and different information reveals that GenAI is not growing gross sales for different producers both.
