Is Apple too late to the foldable game after so many generations from other brands?

With all the buzz, it seems likely that Apple will eventually launch a foldable smartphone. It might not be this year or even next, but 2026 seems to be a target date, according to the latest leaks. This raises the question: Is Apple too late to the foldable game, considering how many generations of other foldables have already hit the market?

But first, how does the foldable phone market look right now?

Some of the most recent entries in the foldable phone market are the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. | Image credit – PhoneArena

The global foldable smartphone market is expanding, with more companies jumping in. Right now, Samsung is leading the pack, closely followed by Huawei. Both, along with Motorola, have been rolling out foldable phones for years. Actually, the Android world has had folding smartphones for six years now. Brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo, and Honor are also getting in on the action. According to Counterpoint Research, the foldable phone market saw a 49% year-over-year growth in the first quarter of 2024, marking its biggest jump in six quarters. Meanwhile, iPhone shipments dropped 13% in the same period. So, a folding iPhone could be just what Apple needs to turn things around and boost sales.

Is Apple missing the boat on a foldable iPhone?

Concept design of a foldable iPhone. | Image credit – iOS Beta News

To put it simply, yes, Apple might be a bit behind when it comes to foldable iPhones. However, as it gears up to make its debut in this space, the timing could actually be quite advantageous. Why?

Well, foldable phones have come a long way from their early, clunky days. They are not just more popular now; they are also much more refined and durable. Take Samsung, for instance. Over the past six years, the company has been perfecting its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, focusing on improving screen durability and hinge reliability.

In the early days, these were major pain points for foldables. But thanks to leaps in hinge engineering and glass technology, the latest foldable devices are getting closer to the high standards we expect from flagship smartphones.

And while Samsung has been leading the way, the competition is also heating up. Huawei and Motorola are making significant inroads into Samsung’s market share, and players like Google, which will unveil its second-generation foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, next week, and OnePlus are also making waves. This bustling market makes it an opportune moment for Apple to enter the foldable scene.

Apple has a track record of arriving a bit late to the party but delivering products that feel well-timed and polished, benefiting from the lessons learned by earlier entrants.

For example, rumor has it that Apple might be working on a clamshell foldable iPhone, codenamed V68, which is said to be beyond the concept stage. And stats show that 49% of Americans are leaning towards flip-style foldables instead of book-style ones. Samsung’s sales numbers back this up, with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 outselling the Galaxy Z Fold 5, proving that people really dig the flip form factor.

49% of Americans prefer flip-style foldables over book-style ones.

So, starting with a clamshell design seems like a smart move for Apple. Plus, it addresses the issue of fitting a big phone into a small pocket and could be just the fix for those of us who miss the compact iPhone mini.

But with such strong competition, how could a foldable iPhone stand out?

I think there is no doubt that a foldable iPhone will come with a hefty price tag, and if Apple does launch one, it needs to justify its high cost.