Apple Plans High-End Foldable iPhone for 2025

Apple Inc. is planning to introduce a high-end foldable iPhone starting next year, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst specializing in Apple and the Asian electronics supply chain. This move marks Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market, a segment that has seen significant advancements from competitors.

Kuo, who is renowned for his accurate predictions about Apple's product releases, stated that the foldable iPhone is likely to feature a display supplied by Samsung Display. Samsung Display is reportedly planning to produce up to 8 million foldable panels for this device next year. However, details about other components, such as the hinge mechanism, remain undetermined. Kuo anticipates that the foldable iPhone will command a "very high" price point, reflecting its premium positioning.

Kuo's insights come from his expertise in the Asian electronics supply chain and his track record of accurately predicting Apple's product launches. In a post on the social media platform X, he noted that Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone are still tentative and subject to change.

The iPhone is a cornerstone of Apple's business, accounting for more than half of its total revenue and remaining a highly profitable product. In the 2024 fiscal year, iPhone sales reached 2010 billion dollars. However, iPhone revenue peaked in 2022, and Apple has been seeking ways to attract new customers and encourage existing ones to upgrade to more expensive devices.

Several of Apple's competitors, including Huawei and Samsung, have been releasing foldable smartphones since 2019. These devices feature screens comparable in size to tablets but are designed to be portable due to their foldable structure. However, foldable phones still face hardware challenges, such as screen creases that appear when the device is folded.

Moreover, the demand for foldable phones has not yet been proven to sustain beyond the initial novelty. Research firms have indicated that foldable phones make up a small fraction of total smartphone sales. The market for foldable phones grew by only about 3% in 2024 and is expected to decline in 2025.