Apple is preparing to introduce its first foldable iPhone by the end of next year, stepping into a market that has long been sculpted by its biggest competitor, Samsung.
Unlike its customary approach of trailblazing new technologies, Apple is entering the foldable segment considerably later than Samsung and Google.
The iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods each redefined their respective markets, yet Apple now faces a telecommunications sphere already innovated by Samsung.
The demand for foldable phones in telecommunications
The inaugural arrival of Samsung’s foldable smartphone occurred in 2019, amid curiosity and scepticism in the telecommunications journal, as critics questioned the relevance of such flip devices amidst advanced touchscreen phones.
Despite the initial scepticism, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models paved a path in the telecom sector, but the pace of adoption remains protracted.
In 2023, only 1% of mobile users adopted foldable technology in major markets such as the UK, US and Australia, according to Kantar’s research.
Even with these modest figures, Apple perceives an opportunity to delve into the foldable market, believing its expertise in fine-tuning consumer electronics could lure an upscale clientele.
Strategic Parallels with Samsung
The path carved by Samsung’s telecom innovation will act as a guidepost for Apple’s new venture.
According to Mark, Apple’s foldable models are set to incorporate several core elements from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold devices.
