Apple's Foldable Phone Delayed? Analyst Says Mass Production Pushed to Late 2027 or Even 2028

Apple's Foldable Phone Delayed? Analyst Says Mass Production Pushed to Late 2027 or Even 2028Foldable phones have seen rapid development in the past five years, with some manufacturers even venturing beyond smartphones and experimenting with foldable designs in larger-screen devices. However, Apple, a leading brand in the mobile market, has yet to release a foldable device

Apple's Foldable Phone Delayed? Analyst Says Mass Production Pushed to Late 2027 or Even 2028

Foldable phones have seen rapid development in the past five years, with some manufacturers even venturing beyond smartphones and experimenting with foldable designs in larger-screen devices. However, Apple, a leading brand in the mobile market, has yet to release a foldable device. Despite rumors suggesting that Apple is developing at least two foldable devices, including a foldable iPhone and a hybrid iPad/MacBook, it seems Apple's foldable devices might be years away from launch.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's latest prediction suggests a further delay for Apple's foldable device. The mass production assembly timeline for the first foldable phone has been pushed back from early 2026 to late 2027 or even 2028. As for Apple's large-screen foldable device, it's expected to be a foldable MacBook, not an iPad as previously speculated, with a potential screen size of 18.8 inches.

This delay is primarily attributed to two factors: significant technical challenges and high costs associated with new components. Reports indicate that LG will be the sole supplier of Apple's foldable panels, with an estimated panel cost of $600-650 and a hinge cost of $200-250. The final product price could reach around $3500, which seems too expensive even for a MacBook.

For Apple, developing foldable devices presents several challenges. Firstly, foldable technology requires further maturity. Foldable phones often face issues like creases, screen damage, and require more reliable technology to address these problems. Secondly, the high cost of foldable devices makes them inaccessible to the general consumer. If Apple wants to introduce a competitive foldable device, it needs to address cost concerns and lower the device price.

Despite these challenges, Apple continues exploring the application of foldable technology. With its robust research and development capabilities and financial strength, Apple is expected to launch a more polished foldable device in the future. However, the exact timeline for the release of Apple's foldable devices remains uncertain.

Summary

The delay of Apple's foldable devices further highlights the complexity and challenges associated with foldable technology. Although technological and cost-related hurdles still need to be overcome, Apple's research and development efforts continue. In the future, Apple is expected to introduce more mature and competitive foldable devices, offering users a new experience.