Apple is said to have put its foldable iPhone project on ice after the flexible panels it tested failed to pass the display department’s review. This claim from a typically reliable leakster from the vast swathes of China’s tech blogosphere is that Apple has brought out several bendy phones to test and reverse engineer, and foldables sent to it by screen manufacturers. claims to have tested a sample of the display.
So far, so good, Korean media recently reported that Apple has actually taken delivery of foldable display samples from Samsung, LG, BOE, and basically the usual companies that make such panels. One of the devices tested by Apple with a foldable display reportedly failed within a few days, but the sources did not say whether the hinge broke or artifacts appeared on the screen.
But that’s not the whole reason for the foldable iPhone project rumors to be frozen, as Apple’s display division is reportedly saying that the overall quality of its foldable panels isn’t up to its usual standards. This is understandable, since Apple is known to be very strict when it comes to panel characteristics, durability, and price, often leaving display suppliers in trouble.
Foldable phones have great displays
Did anyone know?
Foldable smartphones already have killer screens both indoors and outdoors
However, the entire episode or reading it is pretty nonsensical. We’ve been testing foldable phone displays for a long time. The first edition had its own set of challenges with durability and display specs, but now its screens are on par with, and in some cases better than, those on other products without hinges. Take the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or OnePlus Open displays, for example.
It’s extremely bright and has a high dynamic refresh rate and the highest HDR certification. This means that no matter how you slice or spread it, it will look great. In fact, the spec gap between modern devices with foldable displays and modern devices with rigid displays has all but disappeared.
As you can see, the foldable device here is a display quality benchmark for both 2023 and 2024 flagships, including products with advertised brightness of 4500 and the vaunted flagship phone OLED displays from Apple and Samsung. Meets or exceeds.
Apple doesn’t need a foldable iPhone, but may launch a foldable iPad
Why fold?
According to today’s latest TrendForce report: foldable cell phone Shipments reached about 16 million units last year, an increase of 25% since 2022, but still only account for 1.4% of the market. At one time, foldables were the fastest growing segment, with many Chinese companies releasing their first or second attempts at foldables, but growth is expected to slow further this year, with shipments of bendable phones expected to slow further this year. sales increased by 11% to 17.7 million units. According to TrendForce analysts, “This growth rate remains below market expectations, and the share of this segment is projected to exceed 2% only by 2025.. ”
Foldable mobile phone market share
In terms of brand performance, Samsung remains the market leader despite its market share falling from 80% in 2022 to less than 70% in 2023, with Huawei’s shipments rising to 12%. ing. Brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have kept their share prices below 10%. Looking ahead to 2024, Samsung aims to maintain around 60% market share for foldable smartphones, consistent with its 2023 goal. In contrast, Huawei is aggressively increasing shipments of foldable phones, aiming for a market share that could exceed 20%.
If all goes well, market penetration will be even faster. foldable cell phone Addresses consumer perceived drawbacks, primarily price and footprint. Chinese manufacturers like Oppo and OnePlus are already showing that foldable cell phone It’s thin, light, affordable, and even has a great camera. Samsung is reportedly taking note of this and trying to catch up with Samsung with the thinner and cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6, but all these advancements could help foldables gain meaningful market share in the coming years. Whether it will be the preferred option remains to be seen.
Although much thinner than before, foldables are still considered bulky
Hinged or not?
No matter what the fuss is foldable cell phone The display isn’t up to Apple’s high standards, which may have halted development of the proverbial bendable iPhone, but this misses the point that Apple simply doesn’t need a display. The company’s classic iPhone series is selling like hot cakes, and Apple wouldn’t dilute or cannibalize it without a very good reason.
That’s not why the iPhone has a hinge in the middle. Yes, it’s a hinge. The iPhone, like everything else, still has a flexible display with a plastic substrate. The simple act of folding and unfolding should add value to iPhone users, and Apple is likely considering testing folding panels in its display department rather than being intimidated by it. .
As a result, Apple is reportedly planning to try to revive sluggish iPad sales, especially the iPad mini, or first release a Mac with a foldable display before deciding it needs a foldable iPhone. There is also.
If that’s the case, foldable products have already proven popular with users, and suppliers should be able to offer high-quality components at low prices and in abundance. This is what Apple typically does when it gets excited about major upgrades to the iPhone’s hardware or form factor.
Until then, foldable iPhones will be prohibitively expensive unless there’s a really compelling use scenario. Just like the Vision Pro gear that the Apple team is now reportedly pivoting towards developing a foldable device.
