Is the Foldable iPhone a Good Idea?

Despite its history of setting trends in the tech market, Apple has been late to the party on foldable smartphones. Many of its competitors have produced flip phones for a few years but, until recently, the American giant had opted out.

That looks set to change, though, as rumours suggest Apple's foldable iPhone could be released next year. If the company can bring some fresh ideas to the table, it could be a good idea. However, if it's merely following the herd, its flip phone could be a flop.

The Appeal of Retro Design

Foldable phones first emerged in the 1990s and, until recently, they were considered retro. Some tech companies realised, however, that it was a good idea to capitalise on this nostalgia and bring them back. The decision to do this may have been inspired by the success of retro offerings in entertainment.

For instance, in iGaming, the Plinko Go online slot draws a lot of players in thanks to its classic themes. The game is inspired by the classic offering that appeared in The Price is Right, and includes modern elements to help it align with the state-of-the-art titles of today.

Companies like Samsung realised that they could leverage consumers' need for retro products and bring back the flip phone for today's smartphone audiences. Like the retro games in the iGaming market that use advanced mechanics, these foldables come with all the features that you'd expect from a contemporary smartphone.

Foldable Expected to Be Released Next Year

For a while, it seemed like Apple was eschewing the idea of releasing its own foldable smartphone. Now, though, it seems that one is on the way. According to a report from Tom's Guide, Apple can't afford to give its rivals more of a head start on foldables, and needs to get in the game as soon as possible. Experts expect a 2026 launch, with an announcement potentially coming this year.

In a similar way to its steady progress with mixed reality, Apple appears to be in no rush to get its foldable on shelves. Indeed, the company is notorious for making sure everything is perfect before making its products available to consumers. It may also be considering some innovations that could blow its competitors out of the water – something it has been known to do in the past.

Apple May Make Foldables Fashionable

Foldable smartphones are still seen as novelties and haven't made much of a dent in the global smartphone market yet. Apple's entry to the niche could effectively legitimise foldables and make them cool. This has been seen on numerous occasions before. The original iPhone outdid others like the Blackberry, and the first AirPods went on to be imitated by many other brands.

The fact that the Apple brand is so trusted means that if it does enter the foldable market, people will take it seriously. They know that they'll be getting good quality, and that the device will have a strong chance of becoming fashionable. Overall, it seems like a great idea for Apple to release a foldable iPhone.