The appearance of iPhone Fold is said to be able to create a new turning point for the smartphone market, especially in the foldable phone segment that is still looking for a clear direction.
Apple's first folding device may be launched with the iPhone 18 line at the end of this year. The noteworthy point is not the configuration or selling price, but the 4:3-inch wide screen design, which is a clear difference from the long and narrow design of most folding phones today.
This design is reminiscent of BlackBerry Passport, a phone that once caused controversy but was highly appreciated for its ability to read content thanks to its square screen.
With iPhone Fold, Apple is expected to optimize display space, help reduce black bezels when watching videos and bring a more convenient reading and web browsing experience.
Previously, companies such as Google or Microsoft had experimented with wide screen designs with Pixel Fold or Surface Duo. However, these products are not strong enough to create a trend.
Apple's advantage lies in its ability to standardize the experience and have a strong impact on the entire industry.
Not only hardware, the software interface of iPhone Fold is also predicted to change significantly.
The device still runs iOS, but may have a style close to the iPad, with a sidebar application layout and the ability to display two applications in parallel.
This helps to better utilize large screens without switching to iPadOS.
In the context of the smartphone market showing signs of stagnation, the appearance of iPhone Fold may become a necessary boost.
Although folding phones have existed for many years, this segment has not really exploded in sales.
Apple's participation is expected to boost consumer interest and lead to changes from competitors.
In fact, many companies have begun to react. Such as Huawei and Samsung are both developing wide-screen folding phones, while Google is also said to be adjusting its design in the next generations.
However, the biggest challenge of iPhone Fold is still the selling price, when the product can cost up to 2,000 USD. To convince users to spend this amount of money, Apple needs to prove that the device is not only different but also really useful in everyday experiences.
In addition, familiar limitations of folding phones such as screen folds or battery life may still appear in the first generation, although Apple is said to be looking for ways to minimize these problems.
Despite many unknowns, iPhone Fold is still considered a product with the potential to reshape the market. If successful, this device will not only change the smartphone design but also open a new competitive period in the mobile technology industry.
