The strange thing about the folding screen iPhone

Expected to launch next year, the foldable iPhone appears in a market that has existed for 7 years, with Samsung as the leading name.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7. Photo: Bloomberg .

The foldable iPhone is one of Apple's most anticipated devices. Despite being heavily rumored, its release date remains a mystery.

In Bloomberg's Power On newsletter, analyst Mark Gurman revealed that a foldable iPhone could be launched next year. However, the device's launch could be very different from the past.

Apple's Unusual Debut

According to Gurman, the challenge for Apple in developing a foldable iPhone is not too great at the moment. In fact, most of the weaknesses of foldable smartphones have been solved by Samsung in the past 7 years.

In the past, Apple tended not to be the first company to enter the market, but was still one of the most prominent names.

“That’s technically correct, but I think Apple really pioneered the modern version of some important products, such as music players, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and wireless headphones,” Gurman emphasized.

Before the iPhone, smartphones existed, but they failed to combine a large multi-touch screen, a virtual keyboard, and a slim, minimalist design. Smartwatches have been around for a long time, but they haven’t been as appealing as the Apple Watch. The iPad is the device that realized the vision of the tablet market.

Galaxy Z Fold7 when opened. Photo: Bloomberg .

Even the Apple Vision Pro, which failed in many ways, took a different approach. While it wasn’t the first mixed reality (XR) device, it offered a unique interface and interaction, centered around eye tracking and hand gestures, combined with a high-quality display.

“What all the products have in common is that Apple entered the market relatively early, when it was still young, which shaped the mainstream version of each product.

The iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods aren’t just entering the market, they’re shaping it. That’s what makes Apple’s next big launch so unusual,” the Bloomberg writer added.

When Apple launches the foldable iPhone next year, it will be a market that has been dominated by Samsung for seven years. In other words, Apple won’t be introducing a truly new or groundbreaking device in terms of hardware.

According to Gurman, the product will look similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, even using some similar components, such as Samsung Display's foldable OLED screen.

Not bad news for Samsung

On the other hand, Samsung's foldable smartphone is getting better and better. Many news sites consider the Galaxy Z Fold7 to be a milestone that helps foldable phones become popular. Compared to its predecessor, the Z Fold7 stands out thanks to its large outer screen and slim, lightweight design.

According to Bloomberg , sales of the current Galaxy Z Fold7 have “significantly” exceeded those of the previous version.

That means Apple's foldable smartphone may not be a technological breakthrough, nor does it have the potential to reshape the market. In other words, Samsung has largely done its job.

“However, the bottom line is that Apple’s superior ability to market premium hardware to consumers (with the exception of the Vision Pro) could help it dominate the foldable smartphone market in just a few months,” Gurman emphasized.

A group of iPhone loyalists are waiting for Apple to launch a foldable smartphone, partly because they are hesitant to switch to Android. It's pent-up demand, and Apple seems to be tapping into it.

“It can be said that Samsung spent 7 years creating the premise for Apple's success... However, this is not necessarily bad news for the Korean company.

“Component businesses will benefit if foldable iPhone sales increase, and the excitement effect may also make many Android users want to experience foldable Galaxy smartphones,” said a writer from Bloomberg .

The thinness of the Galaxy Z Fold7. Photo: Bloomberg .

In fact, Apple didn’t completely “copy” the Galaxy Z Fold’s design. According to rumors, the company is focusing on solving some of the problems of foldable smartphones, such as making the crease as inconspicuous as possible, and designing its own software for the folding interface based on iOS 27.

Another reason Apple is looking at foldable smartphones is that the design is particularly popular in China, a challenging market for the company. Domestic brands such as Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei and Vivo have all launched foldable smartphones and have been popular with users.

If launched, the foldable iPhone is expected to cost at least $2,000 . This is a suitable number for Apple to increase iPhone revenue, even if sales are not too high.

“Apple may not revolutionize the category with the launch of the foldable iPhone, but it's still a big moment for the industry.

“With the power of its brand, marketing, and technical know-how, Apple could once again take a niche product and make it a global hit. It’s just not the breakthrough we’re used to seeing,” Gurman said.

Source: https://znews.vn/dieu-ky-la-voi-iphone-man-hinh-gap-post1570271.html