The iPhone Fold’s Biggest Flaw Is Surprisingly Obvious
▼ Summary
– Apple is entering the foldable smartphone market eight years after Samsung’s first model, following its strategy to learn from competitors’ mistakes and launch the best version.
– The iPhone Fold is expected to be the best foldable smartphone yet, with Apple engineers recently achieving satisfactory display quality by eliminating the crease issue.
– The most obvious problem with the iPhone Fold is its high estimated price, potentially reaching up to $2,500, which is double the cost of an iPhone Pro model.
– Beyond price, the biggest issue is the combination of cost and longevity, as rapid technological advances may cause the first-generation model’s resale value to drop quickly.
– Buyers may hesitate to purchase the iPhone Fold due to the financial risk of upgrading soon after, facing either keeping it for years to justify the cost or taking a significant loss on resale.
While the upcoming iPhone Fold is anticipated to set a new benchmark for foldable smartphones, its most significant challenge may not lie in its groundbreaking technology but in a surprisingly straightforward issue. The iPhone Fold’s biggest flaw is its expected price, which could reach approximately $2,500, nearly double the cost of current iPhone Pro models. This positions it as one of the most expensive consumer smartphones ever released, even when compared to premium Android foldables.
Apple has historically taken a patient approach with new technologies, preferring to refine and perfect rather than rush to market. The company observed the rocky debut of competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, which faced severe design flaws including a prominent screen crease and vulnerability to dust damage. It took years for Apple’s engineers to develop a display that met their standards, underscoring the brand’s commitment to quality over speed.
Still, the steep price tag raises immediate concerns about consumer adoption. Early foldable phones have already tested buyers’ willingness to spend significantly more for novel form factors. With the iPhone Air’s sleek design failing to command a major price premium, skepticism is growing around whether customers will embrace a device priced in the same range as the Vision Pro headset, a product aimed squarely at early adopters and tech enthusiasts.
Beyond the initial cost, however, lies a deeper issue: the combination of high price and uncertain longevity. Many Apple users upgrade their iPhones every one to two years, a pattern supported by strong resale values for conventional models. But the iPhone Fold may not follow this trend. As manufacturing costs for foldable displays drop, later generations are likely to become both better and cheaper, causing first-generation models to depreciate rapidly.
This creates a difficult choice for prospective buyers. Investing in a first-gen iPhone Fold could mean either holding onto the device for several years to justify the expense or facing a substantial financial loss when upgrading sooner. For a product category where frequent updates are common, this financial dynamic presents a major psychological and practical barrier.
In the end, while the iPhone Fold promises to deliver a premium, refined foldable experience, its success will depend on whether Apple can convince customers that the device offers lasting value, not just cutting-edge appeal. With price and depreciation looming large, even the most dedicated Apple fans may think twice before making such a substantial commitment.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
