All in on folding… Apple’s been busier than usual. The tech icon is said to be planning foldable devices, including a bendy iPhone with a larger screen than the 16 Pro Max. Another gadget, designed to function as a laptop, will feature a foldable 19-inch screen that rivals the size of some desktop monitors. Plus, sources say Apple’s working on a slimmer (non-foldable) iPhone with a simplified camera that’ll retail for less than Pro models. The new tech could roll out as soon as 2026.
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In the fold: Apple will be competing with rivals like Samsung, which already offers foldable models like the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold. But sales of Samsung’s new Fold 6 were reportedly underwhelming.
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Fold over: The foldable-smartphone market grew 49% in the first quarter, driven by newer entrants like Motorola and China’s Huawei (which overtook Samsung as the top foldable phone seller in May).
Not phoning it in… After two straight years of declines, global smartphone sales rebounded as companies debuted cheaper models and devices packed with AI. In October, Apple reported that iPhone sales ticked up for the first time in two quarters, driven by genAI-infused updates. Still, analysts said presales for the AI iPhone 16 models were lower than sales for the 15’s launch (genmojis haven’t saved the day). Apple may be trying to climb out of its rut with fresh devices like foldables, which make up less than 2% of the smartphone market.
More options can unlock more appeal… By offering more designs and price points, Apple could inspire customers who’ve been slow to upgrade or Android users looking for a more familiar feel. The strategy’s worked before: after Apple came out with the larger-screen Plus category, in 2014, its iPhone 6 models sold in the millions right out of the gate.
