We all know what is expected from Apple this week. People are waiting to see the new product design for the upcoming phones from Apple. Everyone claims to know what it will look like. Here is hoping that Apple is not actually going to go through with a design that has been leaked for months. I am not saying that they should not do a fold, but I think if they release a fold that looks exactly like this, it will be a letdown. It is not to say that the design is bad, but the surprise is gone if it does look like this. Apple is typically a company that should be used to leaks and hopefully has done its homework, making the world believe one thing while actually delivering something nobody has rendered for months. Great companies typically do this. This is why I do not believe this look and design will be the final product. Another proof is that Apple has not once come out and gone after the people who leaked these looks. That tells me they are not bothered and that we fell for the bait.
And if this is the design, I hope that Apple has the catalyst ready. By catalyst, I mean the one thing you attach that truly kicks off the need for the product. Apple should be smart enough to know that you cannot simply put out an Apple foldable phone. You have to show the purpose for it, the bait that makes everyone see why they need this fold over others. I also think it must be about more than a creaseless screen layout. No, this unit should launch with the new AI Siri or some other software design that makes the foldable iPhone a must-have.
Why? Because other companies are coming for this form factor too. Companies that use better battery tech and better cameras are arriving, and what does that mean? Market saturation of foldables. Once this happens, the uniqueness will die and things will start to look the same. This is what makers like Samsung and Apple do not want. In fact, I would be very cautious about where this trend ends up. Right now it is burning bright, but it is too bright and fast, and this is not the first foldable phone. The truth is that foldable phones are still a niche. There are still far more slab phones that people buy and use than foldables. Currently, that market is owned by Samsung, while they still produce their Ultra lineup. As for Apple, I think they need to tread lightly. Many of their consumers are elderly people, children, and non-tech-savvy individuals who just want simplistic phones; if they wanted advanced phones, they would have chosen Android.
In two days, the world will know for sure what Apple truly thinks about this foldable world and how they believe they can reshape it to their advantage. I am interested in how they navigate this choice in light of their faithful slab phone owners. How many will they actually convert? How will this affect their business? And what must-have gimmick will they attach to it to help differentiate it from the others? My gut believes the room is different from the fanbase of Apple owners. You can’t preach one hand simple use, thinness , and then preach two complicated and thicker phones all in the same message while still having a need for Ipads mini’s.
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