Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple plans to launch a "high-end" priced foldable iPhone starting next year
Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple plans to launch a high-end foldable iPhone starting next year, which may use Samsung displays, and the expected price will be very high. Although Apple has not finalized the plan, its iPhone products account for more than half of the company's total revenue and remain high-margin products. Apple faces challenges from competitors such as Huawei and Samsung, and the demand for foldable phones is still to be observed
According to the Zhitong Finance APP, well-known Apple (AAPL.US) analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple plans to launch a foldable iPhone product starting next year. Kuo mentioned that Apple's foldable phone may use displays from Samsung Display. Samsung Display plans to produce up to 8 million foldable panels for the device next year. However, details about other components, including the phone's hinge, have yet to be determined. He expects the price of the phone to be "very high."
Ming-Chi Kuo is an analyst at Tianfeng International Securities, focusing on the Asian electronics supply chain and is known for discussions related to Apple product releases. In a post on the social media platform X, he wrote that Apple's plans for the foldable iPhone are not yet finalized and may still change.
Apple's iPhone accounts for over half of its total business and remains a highly profitable product. In fiscal year 2024, its sales reached $201 billion. However, iPhone revenue peaked in 2022, and Apple has been looking for ways to attract new customers and persuade existing customers to upgrade to more expensive devices.
Several of Apple's competitors, including Huawei and Samsung, have been launching foldable smartphones since 2019. These devices have screen sizes comparable to tablets but feature a foldable design suitable for portability. However, foldable phones still face some hardware issues, such as screen creases when folded.
Foldable phones have also yet to prove that they can generate significant demand after the novelty wears off. Research firm TrendForce stated last year that only 1.5% of all smartphones sold were foldable phones. Another research firm tracking smartphone sales, Counterpoint, mentioned earlier this year that the foldable phone market grew by only about 3% in 2024 and is expected to shrink in 2025
