I’ve Used Samsung and Google’s New Foldable Phones. Here’s What Apple Must Get Right

The smartphone market is entering a new era characterized by foldable device technology and high price points, as highlighted by NBC News. Current market leaders include Samsung and Google, both of whom have released new foldable phone models. A first-hand assessment from CNET details the experience of using these specific devices from Samsung and Google, using those benchmarks to identify the critical elements Apple must address if and when it decides to launch its own foldable hardware. This transition toward flexible screens is being framed as a significant shift in how mobile devices are designed and consumed by users. Market intelligence from Omdia provides concrete projections for the sector, stating that foldable smartphone shipments are expected to double, reaching 36 million units by the year 2028.

While Omdia focuses on these specific shipment numbers, PhoneArena notes that other reports forecasting major growth in the foldable market are doing so without mentioning Apple's involvement. Despite this, t2ONLINE reports that an eventual entry by Apple into the foldable space possesses the potential to reshape the global smartphone market entirely, suggesting that a product from the company could act as a catalyst for further industry disruption. Contextually, the move toward foldables represents a shift toward more expensive hardware, which NBC News describes as a new and costly era for consumers. The competition between Samsung and Google serves as the current primary driver of innovation in this space. The industry is currently watching to see if these devices can maintain growth momentum independently or if a major player like Apple is required to normalize the technology for a broader audience.

The gap between existing offerings and Apple's absence creates a specific set of requirements and expectations for any future Apple device entering the fray. Looking forward, the primary metric for success will be whether shipment volumes reach the 36 million unit mark by 2028 as predicted by Omdia. Observers will be monitoring whether Apple confirms a foldable entry, as such a move is viewed by t2ONLINE as a potential market reshaper. Additionally, the industry will track whether the expensive nature of these devices, as noted by NBC News, limits their adoption or if the innovations seen in the new Samsung and Google models will drive wider consumer acceptance across different price tiers.