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If Apple can create a sturdy folding iPhone, it might make this technology more popular and widely used.
Although consumers don’t seem to be clamoring for foldable devices, Apple is pushing forward with research into foldable iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which could emerge as early as late 2026.
Apple hasn’t officially announced any plans for foldable devices, yet it has been quietly exploring the technology for years. So far, it has let other companies test the waters, but none have found significant success.
The current issues with foldables include high costs and susceptibility to damage, especially near the hinge. Additionally, the screens often have a noticeable crease that gets worse over time.
Most foldable devices are not yet thin or light enough to meet Apple’s standards. They also only account for about 1.5% of smartphone sales and fall short in energy efficiency and environmental impact.
Apple’s typical strategy when entering a new market is to identify and address the weaknesses of existing products. It waits to release a product until it can offer something that significantly improves upon what’s already available.
Using Foldables to Reignite Consumer Interest
A new report from The Wall Street Journal is fueling speculation about Apple’s potential entry into the foldable market.
Advances in foldable technology, especially those that reduce costs, could boost consumer interest. Reliable sources indicate that Apple is examining the various challenges of foldables.
Apple’s current iPhones remain popular worldwide, but a truly novel model featuring foldable technology could generate new consumer excitement. This could attract new customers to Apple, especially if it can address hinge and creasing issues with innovative solutions.
However, it’s unlikely that Apple will release a foldable device soon. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple might introduce foldable devices by 2027.
The first foldable device from Apple may not be an iPhone. Kuo suggests that a foldable MacBook Pro could be one of the initial products.
A foldable MacBook Pro could potentially appear as soon as 2027.
Such a device might function similarly to Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablets and notebooks, which include a keyboard and trackpad in the casing. The bottom part of the display could serve as an on-screen keyboard or run a separate application.
It’s not just Apple that wants to overcome the challenges of foldable devices. Samsung, both a competitor and a key supplier to Apple, has established a team specifically to tackle the issues of foldable displays.
A Foldable Future?
If costs decrease and reliability improves, foldables could move beyond their current niche status. Apple might introduce a foldable iPhone by 2027.
Apple could develop a foldable iPhone with a price point similar to the iPhone Pro or Pro Max. It would leverage its larger unfolded display and compact design to offset the absence of typical Pro features like a high-end camera.
An all-screen MacBook has been anticipated in patent filings for years and seems particularly suitable for Apple’s iPad line, especially with Apple Pencil support.
These rumors have circulated for years, but Apple has promised significant changes to its iPhone line in the coming years, starting with the rumored iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be thinner and lighter than the current iPhone. It’s anticipated to debut in the fall of 2025.
Just as Apple sees a market for a lighter iPhone, it may also believe that addressing the “pain points” of foldable technology could attract a new audience for the iPhone. “Getting it right” in consumers’ minds is what made the iPad successful compared to Microsoft’s early tablets — Apple might see an opportunity to bring foldable tech to a broader, mainstream audience.
