In 2024, foldable smartphones have become the norm, Apple must adapt

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Is the rectangular smartphone as we know it since the release of the iPhone a species in endangered? If Samsung has long is going it alone in the folding smartphone market, trying its hand at both formats: with a “book” or “Fold” opening as well as a clamshell or ” Flip “.

But in recent years, folding smartphones have become the new norm and all manufacturers have jumped on board. Not all of them? An irreducible firm from Silicon Valley is still holding out. This brand is not just anyone: it's Apple.

The giant with the apple doesn't want to hear about folding smartphones. But behind this marketing speech highlighting only iPhones, the apple's shell is crumbling. We can no longer count the number of patents filed for an “iPhone Fold”.

At the same time, the competition is taking an increasingly large lead. While Apple hates to jump into a market too early, it also knows that there is no point in arriving years late. It is experiencing this bitterly with Apple Intelligence, which is only a year or two behind Gemini or ChatGPT.

So to take on brands like Samsung, Motorola or Huawei, which have been present in this folding smartphone market since 2019, Apple will have to pull off a very big coup. In any case, time is running out for Apple and each quarter without an iPhone Fold means thousands of lost customers.

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Folding smartphones: the new standard

When they first came out, folding smartphones remained a product for insiders. Newbies didn't understand the point of such a screen, it even seemed difficult to use. The software wasn't up to par, durability raised many questions, but above all; the price prevents the product from reaching the general public.

With a marketing price of around 2000 euros, the first Galaxy Folds could not logically appeal to the average Joe (who spend between 300 and 400 euros on a phone). But recently, the situation is starting to change.

A new study, published by the business firm IDC, predicts that 25 million folding phones will be shipped in 2024. This is an increase of 40% compared to last year, which was already a historic record for this new market.

And for good reason, the biggest problems with folding smartphones have disappeared. On the one hand, “classic” smartphones are becoming more and more expensive. The latest iPhone 16 is sold at €969. If you want to bet on a premium model with the iPhone 16 Pro, you will have to spend at least €1,229.

At the same time, the price of foldable smartphones is dropping year after year. To the point that they could cross paths in the coming years. The general public will then have to choose between a smartphone whose design they know by heart (and which they are tired of) or a completely new device, which offers two screens in one. All for the same price. Presented like this, the choice seems simple, and for good reason, it is relatively easy.

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