Since Google introduced its foldable Pixel Fold, Apple has stood apart as the remaining major tech giant without a foldable smartphone. The company has kept its distance from a trend that could deliver substantial revenue in the years ahead, according to Bloomberg’s reporting.
Apple reportedly began exploring a foldable iPhone several years ago, yet there is no sign of a launch. This stance stands out for Apple, a brand known for entering established categories with premium products that set industry standards.
The Bloomberg assessment notes Apple remains cautious about reworking the current iPhone lineup while it already dominates the high end of the smartphone market. The risk, some analysts say, is that the firm may miss out on a fast-growing segment while competitors press forward with foldables.
While foldable devices command only a small slice of total smartphone sales today, they fetch higher price points. Those premium price bands enable brands to push into new tiers of the market. Industry observers believe this segment has the potential to grow faster than any other part of the smartphone space in the near term.
Neil Moston, strategy analytics research director, frames the core question as whether Apple will anchor the foldable concept in its product strategy or allow rivals to capture the momentum. He notes that Apple could either build a new category strength or allow others to define the space before it takes a definitive position.
At the moment, foldables largely run on Android, with Samsung delivering the broadest portfolio and global footprint. Bloomberg also points to a robust ecosystem of foldable choices within China, where many brands leverage the form factor to enhance prestige and consumer perception.
Earlier coverage from sources referenced the Pixel Fold as Google’s first foldable device, a milestone that underscored the broader industry shift toward flexible form factors and new user experiences.