Don’t Hold Your Breath: Apple Won’t Release a Foldable iPhone Just Yet

We’ve heard many times over the last few months that Apple is working on an exciting new device: the foldable iPhone. Yes, rumor has it that Apple is working on the company’s first-ever foldable device. And while we’ve all been excited to know more about this novel iPhone, Mark Gurman, Apple analyst from Bloomberg, says we might have to wait a few more years before we see the foldable iPhone.

Gurman explains in his Power On newsletter that we’re still at least two or three years away before Apple is ready to reveal its first foldable iPhone. Gurman also explains that a foldable iPhone would inevitably create unwanted comparisons between Samsung and Apple since Samsung is the most popular foldable phone manufacturer right now. More on that below.

Apple’s well-known for being “late” to the party when releasing new features or products. Many people like to point out how it took Apple several years to add widgets to the iPhone or an Always-On Display on the Apple Watch. However, when it comes to a foldable iPhone, Apple might have a couple of reasons why it will take years to unveil this new product.

First, foldable phones aren’t all that durable right now – not only is the technology still fairly new and fragile, but foldable phones are just too expensive for most people to consider. Second, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold are the most popular foldable smartphones on the market right now. As Gurman points out, Apple would only look like it’s copying Samsung if it were to release the foldable iPhone sooner. Waiting two or three years will give some time for foldable phones to become more mainstream. It’ll allow Apple to re-invent the foldable phone and take the world by storm with an elegant, reliable, and probably pricy foldable device.

The good news is that if you don’t want to wait that long for a new iPhone, we’re a few weeks away from the iPhone 13’s release. The new iPhone 13 will likely feature a more sophisticated camera system, a bigger battery, a new color option, and a smaller notch. Or at least, that’s what the rumors are saying. 

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]