Apple won't have an answer to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5, until 2026 "at the earliest"

News
By Tammy Rogers
published

Got to make sure they work properly.

Foldable iPhone concept
(Image credit: Future)

Foldables are becoming a permanent part of the smartphone landscape, but it looks like Apple isn't joining the 'fold' anytime soon. In a report from the DigiTimes seen by iMore, "A supply chain source revealed it has been developing foldable iPhones with Apple for years but has yet to start mass production. It added that the chances of launching a foldable iPhone in 2024 are slim."

The report goes on further to say that iPhones are unlikely to be the first devices to feature a foldable screen, with the two most likely to be the iPad and MacBook lines. that factors in pretty well to what we've heard already, but in the face of Samsung's latest product launch today it feels disappointing that Apple is so far behind in the space.

No foldables?

Apple's most important device is the iPhone. DigiTimes report says that the device accounts for 54% of total revenue, and has been 50% of the company's revenue since 2012. Those are some big numbers for any device, so you can see why Apple might be reluctant to completely change the way that it works.

Alas, that means that the iPhone 15 is going to stay foldless, instead having more incremental updates over the iPhone 14 that came before. It's likely because Apple wants to make sure that the tech is ready, in its eyes at least, for release. At the moment, there are key issues with foldable that make them not quite up to scratch.

Deep crevasses along fold lines, unreliability in the thin glass that covers the display, and breakable hinges are all creases that Apple will want to iron out before it puts the tech on anything, whether that be a new MacBook, iPad or even iPhone. Until then, however, we'll be stuck with plain, non-folding Apple tech. 

Tammy Rogers
Tammy Rogers
Senior Staff Writer

As iMore's Senior Staff writer, Tammy uses her background in audio and Masters in screenwriting to pen engaging product reviews and informative buying guides. The resident audiophile (or audio weirdo), she's got an eye for detail and a love of top-quality sound. Apple is her bread and butter, with attention on HomeKit and Apple iPhone and Mac hardware. You won't find her far away from a keyboard even outside of working at iMore – in her spare time, she spends her free time writing feature-length and TV screenplays. Also known to enjoy driving digital cars around virtual circuits, to varying degrees of success. Just don't ask her about AirPods Max - you probably won't like her answer.

9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • FFR
    With less than 8 million in annual sales from Samsung foldables, apple doesn’t really care.

    To put it into perspective, apple considered the iPhone 12/13 mini to be a sales flop, but they outsold Samsung foldables.
    Reply
  • Wotchered
    Maybe I’ll discover a need for a foldyfone by then ?
    Reply
  • iebock
    I don't ever see myself using a folding smartphone. Let's start with the bump where the fold is. That drives me crazy. Most importantly t be honest, folding the device makes it twice as thick. That has great pocket feel, NOT.
    Reply
  • FFR
    iebock said:
    I don't ever see myself using a folding smartphone. Let's start with the bump where the fold is. That drives me crazy. Most importantly t be honest, folding the device makes it twice as thick. That has great pocket feel, NOT.

    Twice as thick, plastic screen, poor reliability and a high price for an android tablet. God bless those that picked one up .
    Reply
  • Ledsteplin
    Why do Apple have to have an answer for everything other companies do? Apple is a Trillion dollar company, selling millions and millions of smartphones each year, among other stuff. They always try to get it right, and that often takes time. Besides, I don't see that much interest in a foldable iPhone right now. I think most users know it's going to be very expensive.
    Reply
  • FFR
    Ledsteplin said:
    Why do Apple have to have an answer for everything other companies do? Apple is a Trillion dollar company, selling millions and millions of smartphones each year, among other stuff. They always try to get it right, and that often takes time. Besides, I don't see that much interest in a foldable iPhone right now. I think most users know it's going to be very expensive.

    Samsung q1 declines 95%, q2 declines 96%.

    Why copy a failing company .

    Reply
  • iebock
    Ledsteplin said:
    Why do Apple have to have an answer for everything other companies do? Apple is a Trillion dollar company, selling millions and millions of smartphones each year, among other stuff. They always try to get it right, and that often takes time. Besides, I don't see that much interest in a foldable iPhone right now. I think most users know it's going to be very expensive.
    Because the Apple pundits need something to complain about. It's ridiculous.
    Reply
  • FFR
    I guess Apple didn’t need an answer after all.



    Bear in mind the iPhone 15 was only available for 3 months out of 12.
    Reply
  • Wotchered
    Ledsteplin said:
    Why do Apple have to have an answer for everything other companies do? Apple is a Trillion dollar company, selling millions and millions of smartphones each year, among other stuff. They always try to get it right, and that often takes time. Besides, I don't see that much interest in a foldable iPhone right now. I think most users know it's going to be very expensive.

    You know it's going to be a very long time until anybody at all makes an acceptable foldable phone don't you ?
    Reply