Apple’s future might be foldable.
Per a new note addressed to investors from USB, Apple is “steadily working on technology for folding devices. The note suggests that while a folding iPhone is en route, Apple could release a folding iPad.
While Apple could release a folding iPad in 2020, the note states that 2021 is a more likely release date for the device.
Per CNBC:
UBS said Samsung “dominates” intellectual property filings for folding display and device technologies, and the bank expects “Samsung will lead the way for foldable adoption as a smartphones vendor.”
But Apple is steadily working on the technology and UBS believes a folding Apple product could come next year, although it said “2021 is more likely.” UBS thinks the first folding Apple product is more likely to be an iPad than an iPhone.
It’s thought that price will be the latest obstacle to adoption, and while customers are willing to pay a premium for a folding device, they won’t pay something along the lines of the $2,000 asking price of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold.
The survey found that most consumers were willing to pay $400-500 extra for a folding device, though Apple owners would pay a little more.
“Price remains the key hurdle in most consumers’ minds, while the adequate average premium vs regular smartphones surveyed to be c. US$400-500,” UBS analysts wrote in a note to investors.
The bank said that the idea of a folding smartphone held ‘reasonably high’ appeal for more than a third of consumers, with China likely leading demand.
A number of Apple patents have surfaced for foldable devices, and it’s thought that the company is actively working on the technology. Still, Apple may want to put more time in than Samsung did with the Galaxy Fold, which sold well via pre-order, but within 48 hours, was found to have major problems as reviewers tested the device back in April. Samsung then delayed the product launch until May prior to canceling pre-orders. Its latest claim is that the Galaxy Fold will launch in September.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.