Core Insights - Apple has officially launched the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air, with detailed evaluations provided by industry analysts [1] - The iPhone Air emphasizes design but compromises on certain features, while the upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to enhance this design focus [2][3] Product Development - The foldable iPhone is anticipated to resemble "two iPhone Airs side by side," offering a thin overall appearance [4][6] - The expected price for the foldable iPhone is around $2000, making it more expensive than competitors like the Pixel Fold [7] - The iPhone Air has a thickness of 5.6 mm, suggesting that a foldable version could exceed 11 mm even with perfect alignment [10][11] - Apple is expected to utilize in-cell flexible OLED technology for the foldable iPhone, which could reduce thickness and improve design [14][15][16] Technical Specifications - The foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch inner screen, along with four cameras (two front and two rear) [19][20] - It will likely adopt eSIM technology and utilize Apple's custom C2 baseband and N1 communication chips [21] - The design will incorporate a titanium alloy frame and a hinge made from stainless steel and titanium alloy composites [24][26] Production Timeline - Apple has entered the initial prototype phase for the foldable iPhone, with expectations for completion of major prototype testing by the end of the year [32][33] - The engineering validation test (EVT) phase will be handled by major manufacturing partners, preparing for mass production [34] - The foldable iPhone is projected to launch in the second half of 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series [35][36] Market Strategy - Apple may adjust its iPhone release schedule, potentially delaying the standard iPhone 18 to spring 2027 to focus on the foldable model [36][38] - The recently launched iPhone 17 standard version has received many Pro features, positioning it as a strong contender in the market [37]

Market Trends & Dynamics - Foldable smartphones are gaining traction, with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series breaking preorder records, indicating growing consumer interest in the foldable form factor [2] - The foldable phone market, while still niche, is evolving, with more brands entering the space, including Google, Motorola, Huawei, and Xiaomi, and Apple reportedly planning to join in 2026 [3][4][5] - Foldable smartphones currently account for less than 2% of global smartphone shipments in 2024, highlighting their limited market share compared to traditional smartphones [12] Technological Advancements & Challenges - Early foldable phones faced durability issues, particularly with screen creases and hinge design, but recent models have made significant improvements in these areas [9][10][11] - Samsung's latest foldable phones have reduced thickness and improved battery life, addressing previous concerns and bringing them closer to flagship phone standards [11][12] - Apple's potential entry into the foldable market is contingent on solving durability and usability challenges, aiming for a user experience-focused approach [15][16] Pricing & Accessibility - The high price of foldable phones, ranging from $1500 to $2000, remains a barrier to mass adoption, positioning them as a niche product in the premium smartphone market [12][13] - Samsung is starting to lower prices, with models like the Flip seven launching under $1000, suggesting a trend towards more accessible pricing as the technology matures [24][25] - Industry anticipates that for foldable phones to become mainstream, the price premium needs to be in the 10-20% range relative to a normal phone [23] AI & User Experience - Samsung and Google are positioning foldables as AI-first devices, leveraging the larger screen for enhanced multitasking, immersive tools, and content creation [19][20] - The larger screen of foldable phones facilitates AI-driven use cases, enhancing productivity and creativity by reducing friction in phone usage [20][21]

Core Insights - By 2028, book-style foldable smartphone sales are expected to approach 4 million units, accounting for over 2% of total smartphone sales, with a nearly 10% market share in the high-end segment in Europe [1][9] - 2024 is a pivotal year for the European foldable smartphone market, with a projected 37% year-on-year growth in sales, driven primarily by book-style foldable models, which are expected to see a 60% increase [1][9] - The competitive landscape is intensifying, with Samsung's market share dropping from 98% in 2022 to 73% by the end of 2023 due to new entrants like Honor, Google, and others [2][3] Market Dynamics - Honor's Magic V2 has captured 27% of the European book-style foldable smartphone market, and the upcoming Magic V3 is anticipated to further enhance its position [3][6] - Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy Z Fold7 in July 2025, which is its thinnest and lightest foldable smartphone to date, potentially regaining market competitiveness [6][8] - Google and other manufacturers are also ramping up their efforts in the European foldable smartphone market, indicating a new phase of industry growth [7][9] Future Projections - Apple is expected to enter the foldable smartphone market in 2026, which will further intensify competition and potentially accelerate market growth [9] - Despite a projected decline in foldable smartphone sales in the first half of 2025 due to a lack of technological innovation and macroeconomic factors, a rebound is anticipated in the latter half of the year [9][10]

Core Insights - 2024 is a pivotal year for the foldable smartphone market in Europe, with a projected 37% year-on-year growth in sales, despite currently representing only about 2% of total smartphone sales in the region [2] - The primary driver of this growth is the book-style foldable smartphones, which are expected to see a 60% increase in sales [2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The competition in the foldable smartphone market is intensifying, with Samsung's market share dropping from 98% in 2022 to 73% by the end of 2023 due to new entrants like Honor, Google, and OnePlus [3] - Honor's Magic V2 has gained significant traction, accounting for 27% of book-style foldable smartphone sales in Europe, and the upcoming Magic V3 is expected to further enhance its market position [4] - Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 is anticipated to be its most advanced foldable smartphone yet, addressing previous technological gaps [8] Group 2: Future Projections - By 2028, book-style foldable smartphone sales are expected to exceed 2% of total smartphone sales in Europe, capturing nearly 10% of the high-end smartphone market [4][11] - Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market in 2026 is expected to further accelerate competition and innovation, particularly in high-end segments [11] - The foldable smartphone market is projected to experience a rebound in sales in the second half of 2025, following a decline in the first half due to macroeconomic factors [11]

Product Comparison - OPPO Find N5's parameters comprehensively outperform the Pixel Fold, suggesting a superior hardware configuration [1] - System experience is likely better on OPPO Find N5 compared to Pixel Fold [1] Consumer Preference - Some users prioritize privacy and prefer switching to Pixel devices [1] - There is anticipation and interest in the upcoming Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold [1]