苹果救得了小折叠吗？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market, highlighting the challenges and potential of the small foldable phone segment, which has struggled to gain traction despite the hype surrounding it [5][19]. Group 1: Apple's Foldable Phone Development - Apple has been working on foldable phone technology since at least 2011, focusing on addressing the issue of screen creases, which has been a significant barrier to market entry [9][11]. - Recent leaks suggest that Apple's first foldable phone will adopt a small flip design, similar to Huawei's Pura X, but with a more square aspect ratio [5][8]. - Apple's extensive patent portfolio has influenced competitors, with many companies referencing Apple's designs in their own foldable technology [12][11]. Group 2: Market Dynamics of Small Foldable Phones - The small foldable phone market has not achieved significant sales, with projections indicating that in 2024, shipments of small foldables in China will be less than half of those of large foldables [21][19]. - Key issues for small foldables include a lack of functional differentiation from traditional smartphones and lower profit margins for manufacturers [22][30]. - The design of small foldables often compromises internal space and battery life, leading to inferior specifications compared to traditional flagship models [23][26]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Consumer Perception - Many manufacturers, including OPPO and vivo, have either paused or exited the small foldable market due to poor sales performance, while Samsung remains a dominant player [38][39]. - Consumer preferences still lean heavily towards functionality over aesthetics, making it difficult for small foldables to justify their price points [41][43]. - Apple's brand strength may allow it to navigate pricing challenges better than competitors, but past experiences with products like the iPhone Air suggest that design alone may not drive sales [46][49].