The Foldable iPhone: A Future More Likely Than the Apple Car?

The tech world continues to buzz with speculation surrounding Apple’s future product roadmap. While the elusive Apple Car remains a distant dream, shrouded in rumors of abandoned projects and shifting priorities, a foldable iPhone seems increasingly plausible, and perhaps even imminent. My unpopular opinion is that this folding device will materialize long before the Apple Car is ever resurrected from its current state of suspended animation within Apple’s research and development division.

My confidence in the arrival of a foldable iPhone within the next year is growing. Whispers about the iPhone 17 Air, the phone expected to precede the foldable model and establish key design and technological foundations, are intensifying. Simultaneously, the volume of discussions surrounding the potential features and functionality of a folding iPhone that follows it is also on the rise.

Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-respected analyst with a proven track record of accurate Apple predictions, has offered substantial insights into Apple’s potential entry into the foldable smartphone market. While Apple remains characteristically tight-lipped, with no official confirmation forthcoming from executives, Kuo’s analysis, combined with other emerging details, provides a compelling framework for envisioning what a folding smartphone from Apple might look like.

One of the most significant points of discussion revolves around the potential price point. Kuo suggests that a folding iPhone could command a premium price, ranging from $2,000 to $2,500 at launch. While this may appear exorbitant at first glance, it’s essential to consider the existing landscape of foldable devices. The Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold series already occupy a high-end price bracket, typically starting around $1,800. Furthermore, opting for increased storage capacity, often a necessity, quickly pushes the total cost above $2,000. Therefore, Apple’s entry into the market with a similar, or even slightly higher, price would align with current industry trends.

Delving into hardware specifications, Kuo predicts that the folding iPhone will adopt a book-style design, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a flip-phone format reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Flip. The device is expected to feature a large internal display, potentially measuring around 7.8 inches, designed to be "crease-free," addressing a common concern among foldable device users. Externally, a 5.5-inch cover display is anticipated. While smaller than the cover screen found on Samsung’s current generation of foldables, it may be designed with a wider aspect ratio, potentially enhancing usability and addressing criticisms of narrow cover screens.

The overall thickness of the device, when unfolded, is projected to be between 4 mm and 4.8 mm. This slim profile may be facilitated, in part, by design and engineering innovations introduced with the iPhone 17 Air, which is rumored to be exceptionally thin. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be about 5.5mm thin. This could set the tone for the foldable device, allowing it to have a similar sleek form factor.

Intriguingly, the return of Touch ID is also being considered, potentially integrated into the side button, mirroring the approach taken by the Galaxy Z Fold and other recent foldable devices. This would offer users a convenient and familiar method of biometric authentication. In contrast, Face ID may be absent, reportedly due to space constraints within the device’s internal structure.

Regarding the camera system, the folding iPhone is predicted to feature a dual-lens rear setup, accompanied by a single front-facing camera. This configuration would prioritize the quality of the main camera system while still providing a front-facing option for selfies and video calls. Notably, the analyst indicates that this front-facing camera would be positioned on the outer display rather than on the inner, foldable screen, a design choice that may be preferred by users for video conferencing.

According to Kuo, the final specifications for the foldable iPhone are expected to be finalized by the second quarter of this year, with the project officially commencing in the third quarter. Production is anticipated to begin as early as the end of the year, potentially paving the way for a launch in the following year. Furthermore, plans for a second-generation foldable iPhone are already reportedly in development, targeting mass production in 2027, indicating Apple’s long-term commitment to this emerging product category.

The potential arrival of a foldable iPhone is generating considerable excitement among Apple enthusiasts, particularly those who have been observing and admiring the advancements in foldable technology within the Android ecosystem. The integration of Apple’s signature design aesthetic, intuitive user interface, and robust ecosystem into a foldable device could create a compelling alternative for consumers seeking a larger screen experience without sacrificing portability.

Before the foldable iPhone makes its anticipated debut, we are expected to become acquainted with the iPhone 17 Air. The highly anticipated slim iPhone is rumored to be released alongside the other flagship models of the iPhone 17 family this fall. As a device setting the foundation for a foldable iPhone, the iPhone 17 Air’s release is highly anticipated.

As for the Apple Car, the project appears to be facing significant headwinds. Reports of internal disagreements, shifting strategic directions, and technological challenges have cast a shadow over its future. While Apple has undoubtedly invested substantial resources in automotive research and development, the path to a commercially viable Apple Car remains unclear.

In contrast, the development of a foldable iPhone seems to be progressing steadily, fueled by advancements in display technology, hinge mechanisms, and component miniaturization. Apple’s established supply chain, extensive retail network, and loyal customer base provide a solid foundation for success in the foldable smartphone market.

While both projects represent ambitious endeavors for Apple, the foldable iPhone appears to be on a more tangible and achievable trajectory. Therefore, it is my belief that we will witness the unveiling of a foldable iPhone long before the Apple Car is ever revived from its current state of dormancy, making the foldable iPhone the more likely near-term innovation from Apple.