According to a UBS survey, Apple is predicted to launch a foldable iPad and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The UBS survey indicates higher enthusiasm among Apple customers for foldable devices where customers’ are also willing to pay a premium of $600 for a foldable iPhone.
Business Insider said that 72% of the respondents feel that an iPhone’s being foldable would raise their chances of buying the product and hence Apple is estimated to introduce its foldable device in 2021 and that the company could launch a foldable iPad before a foldable iPhone.
Samsung is still believed to be the front-runner in the foldable smartphone space and was slated to launch its first foldable smartphone, in May. However, the release has been postponed due to specific issues that were marked by the reviewers and is rescheduled in September.
Analysts say that foldable iPhones are crucial for Apple since its sales have been declining in recent quarters. “Apple’s iPhone revenue accounted for 48.3% of its overall revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, down from 55.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Its iPhone revenue fell 11.8% to about $26 billion in the quarter.” As per data Huawei and Apple had market shares of 17.6% and 10.1%, respectively. In contrast to Apple, shipments from Samsung and Huawei rose 5.5% and 8.3%, in the second quarter.
It seems that foldable iPhone might not be the first Apple foldable device, as according to rumors, the first folding Apple product is more likely to be a foldable iPad than an iPhone.
