Foldable iPhone Rumoured to be Delayed Until 2027 Due to Crease Issues: TrendForce

Highlights

• Apple’s foldable iPhone may not hit the market until 2027 due to stringent requirements for crease-free displays.
• TrendForce predicts that foldable devices could control 5% of the market by 2028.
• The design is likely to be vertically folding, similar to Samsung’s Flip series.
• Apple’s focus on seamless software experience and AI capabilities may shape its foldable device.

The highly anticipated Apple foldable iPhone might only come to the market in 2027, according to the latest speculations, because of the company’s strict requirements for crease-free, reliable folding displays.

Although Apple is rumoured to be working on a foldable handset, the company seems to be turning a more cautious eye towards making sure the user experience for a product released into the foldable smartphone market is flawless.

Perfection Over Time to Market

Researchers at TrendForce believe that Apple will not be launching a foldable iPhone until 2027, as it is putting a lot of emphasis on the rigorous crease reduction and overall durability requirement.

If Apple finally enters the foldable phone fray, it should send ripples all over the market landscape.

According to TrendForce, foldable smartphone shipments will reach 17.8 million units by 2024, amounting to 1.5% of the world’s total smartphone market.

By 2028, this figure is expected to grow to an astonishing 4.8%, demonstrating great growth potential for the foldable market.

Approach to Foldable Design

While details are still pretty scant about the design of Apple’s foldable iPhone, the company is thought to be working on a vertically-folding form factor, very similar to Samsung’s Flip series.

The latter have a clamshell design—a form that has proven far more popular and less expensive than their horizontally folding counterparts—models that open to become tablet-sized screens.

A vertically foldable iPhone would allow for a somewhat bigger screen while remaining pocketable when folded.

The Software Dimension

Beyond the technical issues, Apple’s delay in getting a foldable iPhone to market might be more about the pursuit of a seamless software experience.

Once the strong AI capabilities of iOS 18 are added into the mix, Apple might start working on developing a really compelling use case for its foldable device, where personal AI assistants can execute the tasks autonomously without the need for screen input at regular intervals.

This will mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027, and a foldable device that combines the latest hardware innovations with revolutionary AI-powered software may be the vehicle for the company’s leap into the next era of mobile computing.

However, only time will tell if Apple’s patience and attention to detail will pay off in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving foldable smartphone market.

FAQs

Q1: When will Apple release its foldable iPhone?

A1: Analysts believe Apple won’t release a foldable phone before 2027 due to strict requirements.

Q2: What form factor is Apple working on for the foldable iPhone?

A2: Apple is likely exploring a vertically folding design, akin to Samsung’s Flip series.

Q3: How might AI play a role in Apple’s foldable device?

A3: Apple aims to integrate strong AI capabilities into its foldable iPhone for seamless user experience.

Q4: What impact could Apple’s entry have on the foldable market?

A4: Apple’s release could significantly shift market dynamics for foldable devices.

Q5: Is there a chance Apple will abandon the concept?

A5: While rumours persist, it remains uncertain whether Apple will fully commit to a foldable iPhone.

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