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While competitors like Samsung and Huawei have long engaged in refining foldable smartphones, Apple has remained conspicuously absent from the market. Though there is speculation that Apple’s inaugural foldable devices are on the horizon, they are projected to be several years away. This creates uncertainty about their potential influence on Apple’s slightly declining business outlook.
As per Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the foldable iPhone by Apple is still in the planning stages. This is despite ongoing reports that the project has been in the pipeline for nearly a decade. Meanwhile, a new ultra-thin iPhone “Air” model is expected to launch in the latter half of this year.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to boast extreme thinness, with its “thinnest part” potentially reaching just 5.5mm. This ultra-thin design may result in a tapered structure or rounded edges, yet it involves certain trade-offs. The most notable compromise could be the absence of a physical SIM card tray, with reliance solely on eSIM technology. While eSIM is not problematic in markets like the U.S., it could hinder sales in regions like China, where physical SIM cards are prevalent. Furthermore, such a design might necessitate a smaller battery and fewer cameras.
Insights from The Wall Street Journal suggest that Apple’s strategy to rejuvenate sales includes introducing a new iPhone model priced lower than the Pro models, though it won’t necessarily be affordable or set at a mainstream price point.
Discussions around Apple’s foldable devices have been prevalent since at least 2016. Reports from Kuo and others highlight that internal delays have repeatedly hampered the project, yet a potential release could occur by 2026 or 2027. There is also speculation that development may extend to ultra-large foldable iPads and MacBooks.
The primary challenge for Apple appears to be creating a reliable folding hinge and screen. Even seasoned manufacturers in the foldable arena, such as Samsung, continue to encounter reliability challenges, as TechSpot contributors can confirm.
Reports indicate that iPhone shipments in China during December 2024 decreased by around 10% compared to the previous year, while global shipments for the first quarter of 2025 are anticipated to decline by approximately 6%.
Apple’s rollout of the iPhone SE 4 is expected in March, potentially featuring Apple Intelligence capabilities. However, there is scant evidence that the GenAI toolchain, unique to Apple’s latest hardware, is effectively driving users to upgrade. Issues with incorrect news summaries do little to bolster demand.
Recent surveys show that users exhibit a lack of interest in Apple Intelligence. Further data suggests that GenAI isn’t boosting sales for other manufacturers either.
