Analyst Says Apple (AAPL) Foldable Phone Won’t ‘Move The Needle’

Core Insights - The smartphone industry, including Apple Inc, is experiencing a structural slowdown due to a lack of truly innovative features, with most improvements being incremental [2] - Apple's upcoming foldable phone is not expected to significantly impact sales, as it is not a new form factor and market expectations are deemed too high [1][2] - The iPhone upgrade cycle has extended to 35 months in the US, with 63% of users keeping their devices for over two years, indicating a potential decline in consumer demand for new models [3] Company Performance - Apple Inc's stock has underperformed the market, facing challenges related to innovation and competition, particularly in the AI space [4] - The company is losing its pricing edge in key markets like China, where competitors like Samsung and Xiaomi are launching advanced features [3] - Despite a strong consumer response to the latest iPhone 17, long-term stock performance remains uncertain due to competitive pressures and innovation limitations [3]