The iPhone Fold, Apple's next flagship product doomed to failure?

PUBLISHED: JUN 03, 2024, 5:05 PM 

After the sensational announcement of the Apple Vision Pro, Apple's mixed reality headset which aroused as much enthusiasm as skepticism, another rumor is shaking the web: that of the imminent arrival of a foldable iPhone. However, in light of the sorting reserved for the Apple Vision Pro, we cannot help but wonder if the iPhone Fold is not likely to follow the same path.

When Apple unveiled its mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, during its latest Keynote, the reaction from observers was mixed. On the one hand, enthusiasts praised the audacity and innovation of the Cupertino firm, seeing in this product the future of computing. On the other hand, skeptics have pointed out its prohibitive price ($3,499) and its technical limitations, calling into question its potential for commercial success.

Several months after its presentation, doubts about the future of the Apple Vision Pro seem to be confirmed. Pre-orders, although higher than Apple's initial expectations, remain disappointing given the high-end positioning of the product. In addition, feedback from early users highlights ergonomics and autonomy issues that could slow down its large-scale adoption.

It is in this context that rumors around the iPhone Fold, Apple's first foldable smartphone, have resurfaced with insistence. Expected by many users as the next major innovation from Apple, could this iPhone Fold experience the same fate as the Apple Vision Pro?

The analogies are indeed disturbing. Like the mixed reality headset, the iPhone Fold would be placed in a category of niche products, intended for a very specific audience and ready to pay a high price. In addition, Apple should face the same technical challenges as on the Apple Vision Pro, particularly in terms of reliability and autonomy of a foldable screen.

Finally, the question of large-scale adoption also arises. Despite the initial enthusiasm, foldable smartphones are still struggling to establish themselves compared to traditional models, due to the lack of a real differentiating use for the majority of consumers.

Faced with these disturbing parallels, we can't help but wonder: is the iPhone Fold doomed to follow the same path as the Apple Vision Pro? A bitter failure which would call into question Apple's ability to create new innovative products likely to appeal to the general public.

Certainly, the Cupertino company has expertise and resources far superior to the competition to meet this challenge. But history shows that even tech giants can sometimes make mistakes in their strategic choices, like Google Glass or the Amazon Fire Phone.

In the months to come, the fate of the iPhone Fold will therefore be played out under the watchful eyes of observers. Will Apple be able to learn from the relative failure of the Apple Vision Pro to offer a convincing foldable product? Or will Apple's next folding smartphone, in turn, be condemned to remain confidential?

One thing is certain: the launch of the iPhone Fold will be scrutinized with the greatest attention. Because if Apple were to make a mistake again, it would be a big blow to the Apple brand's image of innovation. And a worrying signal for the future of its next innovations.