Apple is now setting up to debut in the foldable market by introducing its first foldable iPhone to compete with Samsung.
Transparently, Samsung is leading the foldable market, but soon it will be tough to maintain the legacy since Apple is actively working on bringing its first foldable iPhone into the industry. The reports from Taiwan’s DigiTimes reveal that Apple has currently signed a display supply contract for foldable devices with Samsung Display.
However, earlier this year, a few reports reported that Apple dropped the idea of bringing a foldable iPhone because of some durability issues, at least for now. A new report said that somehow it appears that the Samsung Display has succeeded in meeting Apple’s demands for enhanced durability.
Initially, Apple is considering mass-producing a 20.3-inch and 8.2-inch foldable iPhone by the end of 2026. The Head of Samsung Electronics MX Business Division Development Team, Choi Won-jun, stated at the Galaxy S23 media briefing held during MWC 2023 that “Apple’s entry into the foldable phone market is very welcome,” adding, “It means that Apple also acknowledges the value of our market leadership, following China.”
On another note, Samsung Electronics restrained the lead in the AI smartphone image by introducing Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year. As a result, it achieved its highest market share in the U.S. smartphone market in four years.
Samsung’s market share reached 31% in the first quarter of 2024, which is the highest since 2020, and the key reason behind this appears to be AI-based features. This success is credited to the Galaxy S24 attracting premium phone switchers and conquering market share from Google and TCL.
Now, as a strong competitor, Apple is also expected to enter the AI phone market with its next-generation iPhone 16 series, which is reported to be enabled with Apple’s “Ajax” generative AI model and supported by features in iOS 18. It is expected that details of iOS 18 will probably be unveiled at Apple’s WWDC in June.
