If you're an Apple fan waiting for the foldable iPhone to launch soon in the coming months, you're out of luck and we'll try to explain why.
The infamous tipster DylanDKT (by using AppleInsider) can say that Apple engineers have been tinkering with some complex prototypes in the past few months, but of course, no one expects Apple to announce a complex iOS device in 2022. Or in 2023. Or 2024, for that matter. According to DylanDKT, the Cupertino-based company is working on and testing "several prototypes with some complex displays." However, big boss Tim (Cook) seems unsure if the demand for foldable phones is a sustainable trend.
But how can this be true in 2022? Samsung is still a great specialist in the market of complex smartphones. The company announced that shipments of its sophisticated devices grew by 400% last year. This means huge sums of money, improved know-how and advertising that really helps. We also know that consumers switch brands just to get innovative Korean phones. Even if it means giving up the iPhone. Google is also diving into the folding smartphone market with the Pixel Fold smartphone, and other companies will soon follow suit.
Are you going to see a perfect iPhone?
It seems that the company is still considering whether the foldable smartphone market can survive. Many say that only a small number of consumers are willing to pay a HUGE amount of money to buy a sophisticated, quality iPhone, and if the number is small, then there is no profit. If there is no profit, we all know that Apple is not going to spend money on it. The Cupertino-based company seems to be sitting back, watching competitors do their thing and learn from their mistakes. But in reality, she is testing several prototypes. Apparently, the company has applied for several patents and has also won several awards for innovation related to the foldable phone. But this does not mean anything other than what has already been said.
Huge iOS/iPadOS changes required
Also, don't forget that getting a complex iPhone up and running quickly will probably require a HUGE iOS update. Currently, iOS is optimized for single display use, all apps in the App Store ship with certain preconditions (single display usability), and so far no developer has reported otherwise. Apple currently recommends that all app developers create separate apps for the iPhone as well as separate apps for the iPad. But this division gets even worse because Apple has separated iOS for iPhone and iPadOS for iPad. This fragmentation is a key point, and if they were planning to release a complex device, then the developers would have known about it. The launch of the foldable iPhone will be HUGE for the App Store ecosystem, so don't expect it to go quietly.
With that said, it seems that reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that "Apple will ship 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones in 2023." According to him, Apple will release something like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. The iOS-powered device, which works like an iPhone when unfolded, with an 8-inch tablet-sized internal screen, will be shipped by Samsung.
Could this be true? Let's see.
