Apple’s inaugural foldable iPhone, the iPhone Fold, is poised for release next year, representing a major entry into the foldable smartphone arena seven years post the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold. This timing appears to coincide favorably with technological advancements and consumer demand, as suggested by recent comments from Samsung.
Samsung has recently applauded the success of its Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, revealing that the Fold7 has surpassed its predecessor by 50% and reached record pre-orders in the U.S. market. Drew Blackard, Senior Vice President of Mobile Product Management at Samsung, noted that foldable devices have progressed to the stage of becoming a mainstream option for consumers. He highlighted that years of responding to consumer feedback have resulted in a product experience that stands out and is engaging.
The innovations in the latest foldable models, featuring robust performance, enhanced AI experiences, and improved durability, have spurred renewed consumer interest. Samsung’s narrative implies that multiple generations of development were necessary to create a genuinely viable foldable smartphone, which may suggest that Apple’s choice to delay its foldable iPhone until now was a calculated decision.
Speculation regarding a foldable iPhone has been prevalent for years, yet Apple has chosen to wait until the technology was sufficiently advanced. With the iPhone Fold’s expected launch in 2026, one could argue that Apple is not entering the market late, but instead at an ideal time when foldable technology has become more dependable and attractive to consumers.
As the foldable smartphone market progresses, the success of Apple’s iPhone Fold will hinge on its ability to fulfill consumer expectations and build on the advancements made by rivals like Samsung. The impending launch is greatly anticipated, and its effect on the foldable smartphone landscape remains to be seen.
