The folding screen battlefield is full of smoke, and Apple only entered the game two years later: Is it late or stable?

[CNMO Technology] Currently, the folding screen mobile phone market is very busy. Brands such as Samsung, Huawei, OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, Motorola, Transsion, Google and Nubia are competing for it. However, in this bustling world, Apple However, its figure is particularly eye-catching because it is the only "top player" that has not yet set foot in this field.

Apple Folding Screen iPhone

For a long time, Apple’s dominance in the field of high-end mobile phones has been unshakable. Its brand influence is far-reaching, and its ability to shape consumer preferences cannot be underestimated. Therefore, whenever rumors of a foldable iPhone arise, it quickly becomes the focus of heated discussion in the technology community and even the public.

Despite the overwhelming expectations from the outside world, the folding screen iPhone has always remained mysterious and its true veil has not yet been unveiled. As time goes by, these predictions and speculations seem to have become a unique landscape in the technology circle, constantly triggering new discussions and speculations.

But just recently, the discussion about the folding screen iPhone has heated up again, and the core of this discussion is no longer the technical details or design concepts, but a more specific and attention-grabbing release schedule.

Coming out two years later

According to media reports from Digitimes, Apple is expected to release its first foldable screen iPhone in 2026. This move marks Apple’s official entry into the foldable display mobile phone market. It is reported that Apple has launched a research and development project for a top-down folding screen smartphone since 2024, and its expanded size is expected to be similar to the current mainstream iPhone.

In recent years, Apple’s layout in the field of foldable technology has become increasingly obvious. It has continuously applied for relevant patents and established a panel supply partnership with Samsung Display (SDC) to ensure the smooth advancement of the foldable screen iPhone. Given that it usually takes two years for Apple products to be launched from research and development to launch, the industry generally expects that this folding screen iPhone will be officially launched in 2026.

Previously, there were rumors that Apple originally planned to launch a foldable iPad first to test the market response, and then introduce the technology to the flagship iPhone. However, in the face of competitive pressure and challenges in the Chinese smartphone market, Apple seems to have adjusted its strategy and directly applied folding screen technology to the iPhone to quickly respond to market changes.

Is it too late for Apple to join the war? Or was it already well-informed and choosing a safer time?

Late is not necessarily lost

IDC’s report shows that China’s foldable screen mobile phone market will usher in explosive growth in 2023, with shipments soaring to 7.007 million units, a year-on-year increase of 114.5%, which is far faster than traditional smartphones growth trajectory.

1. Amazing expansion: Having maintained an annual growth rate of more than 100% for four consecutive years, the foldable screen mobile phone market is rapidly expanding and becoming an important force in the smartphone industry.

2. Manufacturers competing: Major manufacturers are increasing research and development and launching innovative folding screen products to seize market share.
3. Competitive landscape: In 2024, the competitive landscape of the folding screen mobile phone market will be diversified. Huawei ranks first with a market share of 41.7%. Vivo quickly climbed to the second place with its X Fold3 series. Brands such as OPPO, Honor and Samsung also have their own share. Make a difference.
4. Continuous growth: iResearch predicts that global foldable screen mobile phone shipments will reach approximately 22 million units in 2024, a year-on-year increase of approximately 24%.
5. High-end market penetration: The share of foldable screen mobile phones in the high-end market is constantly increasing. It is expected that by the end of 2025, its proportion of the high-end mobile phone market will reach 20%, becoming a mainstream trend in the high-end smartphone market.

   

   In this context, if Apple chooses to launch a folding screen iPhone in 2026, although it may seem late, it may not miss a good opportunity.

Apple’s brand influence and market appeal are obvious to all, and its products can often cause a sensation in the market. As shown by the Vision Pro head-mounted display product launched by Apple before, even if it faced doubts such as high price in the early stage, once consumers experience its excellent performance and unique charm, who wouldn't want to own one?

How will a foldable iPhone be different?

現在、折りたたみ画面携帯電話はハードウェア技術が大幅に進歩しており、厚さ、重量、耐久性、ヒンジ機構、画面品質などの重要な指標はすべて市場で認識される成熟したレベルに達しています。しかし、ハードウェア レベルでの目覚ましい進歩にもかかわらず、ソフトウェアの適応と最適化は依然として折りたたみ式携帯電話の可能性を最大限に発揮するための重要な課題の 1 つであり、Apple はこの点において常に強みを持っています。

1. iOS エコシステムは、その安定性と使いやすさで知られていますが、近年技術革新は減速しています。

2. iOS、iPadOS、watchOS、macOS の間のシームレスなコラボレーションは、ユーザーに便利なクロスデバイス エクスペリエンスを提供します。特に、折りたたみ式 iPhone の追加により、このエコシステムがさらに充実することが期待されます。情報の同期やコミュニケーション（iMessage、FaceTimeなど）に関する用語など。
3. サードパーティ アプリの高品質と多様性は iOS のもう 1 つのハイライトであり、一部の専用アプリは独自の機能とユーザー エクスペリエンスでユーザーの支持を獲得しています。
4. Apple幹部らは、初の折りたたみ式スクリーンiPhoneはより薄く、より強いデザインを実現し、しわの問題を効果的に軽減することに尽力することを明らかにした。

   

   1. Apple 折りたたみスクリーン技術の特許

Apple が折りたたみスクリーン技術の特許を申請しました手がかりが提供されます。この特許は、折り畳み部分のしわを減らすことに焦点を当てています。

2. 革新的な材料と構造設計

特許には、次のような革新的な材料科学と構造設計が含まれています。 🎜#

細かくカットして特殊ポリマーを充填し、滑らかな曲面スクリーンを実現しました。
• 高い光透過率と反射防止を備えた柔軟な素材。
• 内側と外側で異なる表面処理プロセス。

3. 特許は製品と同等ではありません

特許申請書はAppleが製造していることを示しています屏風分野の進歩については徹底的な研究が行われました。ただし、これらの技術が将来の製品に使用されることを意味するものではありません。

4. Apple は折りたたみスクリーンを積極的に研究しています

Apple は積極的に折りたたみスクリーンの技術的課題を調査し、解決しようとしています折り畳み式携帯電話。

5. Appleの市場魅力

業界リーダーとして、Appleの革新と試みは市場にあります強い影響力。

6. 折りたたみ式iPhoneは期待に値する

技術革新と市場影響力の観点から、折りたたみ式 iPhone 待つ価値があります。

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