Apple is reportedly engaged on its first foldable iPhone, placing the corporate head-to-head with Samsung, a rival that has pioneered foldable telephones since 2019, and Google, which unveiled the Pixel Fold in 2023.
On Tuesday, MacRumor reported that Apple’s foldable telephone will probably be launched subsequent September, in 2026, with the iPhone 18 lineup, based on a JPMorgan investor letter.
Bloomberg managing editor Mark Gurman, who has an 86.5% accuracy charge in relation to Apple rumors, reported earlier this month that Apple will enter the foldable telephone market within the latter half of 2026.
With merchandise just like the iPhone and Apple Watch, Apple entered every market early and helped form what the mainstream model of the product would appear to be.
With the foldable iPhone, Apple will take a distinct strategy, utilizing what works for Samsung as a substitute of making a dramatically new interface or growing modern {hardware}. Gurman reported that Apple’s machine will look just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold line and incorporate most of the identical elements, together with foldable OLED screens.
Apple will nonetheless purpose to enhance elements of Samsung’s design, tackling the weaknesses of foldable units just like the seen internal show crease and the internal hinge mechanism. The iPhone maker can even introduce new software program options subsequent yr, particularly designed for foldable telephones.
The worth level of an Apple foldable telephone will probably be round $1,999, based on new stories. Gurman additionally cited round that quantity, which has similarities to choices from Samsung and Google. Samsung’s newest Z Fold 7 is priced at $1,999, whereas the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold is $1,799.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 smartphone. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos
Gross sales of the Samsung Z Fold 7 are increased than the earlier era, per Bloomberg, and it is obtained optimistic critiques from tech websites. Home windows Central referred to as it “a winner,” whereas Mashable praised the telephone’s “virtually unbelievably glossy type issue.” Samsung introduced the telephone earlier this month, and it will likely be out there for buy beginning this Friday.
Although Apple’s foldable iPhone might look just like Samsung’s, it may nonetheless profit from Apple’s attain. Apple holds 57% of the U.S. smartphone market as of the primary quarter of the yr, in comparison with Samsung’s 25%, per Counterpoint Analysis.
Nevertheless, Samsung has traditionally dominated the worldwide foldable smartphone market, promoting over 66% of the 15.9 million foldable telephones offered in 2023, per TrendForce.
Associated: Apple Is Reportedly Creating New Foldable iPads and iPhones. Right here Are the Particulars.
Foldable telephones are a distinct segment class, having by no means accounted for greater than 2% of the smartphone market as a complete, per Counterpoint Analysis. Gurman means that Apple may make it mainstream when it enters the class subsequent yr.
Apple is the third most beneficial firm on the earth, on the time of writing, with a market capitalization of $3.2 trillion.
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Apple is reportedly engaged on its first foldable iPhone, placing the corporate head-to-head with Samsung, a rival that has pioneered foldable telephones since 2019, and Google, which unveiled the Pixel Fold in 2023.
On Tuesday, MacRumor reported that Apple’s foldable telephone will probably be launched subsequent September, in 2026, with the iPhone 18 lineup, based on a JPMorgan investor letter.
Bloomberg managing editor Mark Gurman, who has an 86.5% accuracy charge in relation to Apple rumors, reported earlier this month that Apple will enter the foldable telephone market within the latter half of 2026.
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