iPhone Fold tipped to be the most ‘significant overhaul’ in iPhone history — and here’s why I agree

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the iPhone Fold, least of which is the fact that Apple is finally leaving single-screen phones behind. According to Bloomberg reporter and noted Apple sleuth, Mark Gurman he’s most excited because it promises to be “the most significant overhaul in the iPhone’s history.”

Gurman notes that devices like the iPhone 4, iPhone 6, and iPhone X were a big deal because they changed the overall look of iPhones for years afterwards. But the iPhone Fold is something totally new, and “the first actual form-factor change” Apple has developed since 2007 and the release of the first iPhone.

Though he does freely admit the iPhone Fold is “basically a copy of what other phone makers have been doing for years.” After all, the best foldable phones will have been around for almost eight years by the time the iPhone Fold releases. The design for a book-style foldable phone is well established at this point.

Article continues below

You may like

However, Gurman believes the iPhone Fold could end up being something of an iPad replacement. The large, foldable screen should offer a superior experience for watching videos, productivity and potentially even gaming on the go. But unlike the best iPads, the compact nature of foldable phones makes them pocketable.

My take

I totally agree with what Gurman is saying here. Assuming you can stomach the cost of a foldable, which is rumored to be $2,000 to $2,400 in the iPhone Fold’s case, the design means book-style foldable phones offer a lot more than your average smartphone.

A solo cover display for basic phone functions, and a larger foldable screen for those times you need the extra display space. The foldable becomes a two-in-one device that’s a lot more convenient to carry around.

The likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold are readily available, but those devices have an uphill battle convincing iPhone users to switch to Android. Smartphone brand loyalty runs deep, especially when iPhones are concerned, and the launch of the iPhone Fold will give die-hard Apple loyalists the chance to experience foldable phones without having to adjust to a new ecosystem.

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

I just hope that Apple follows Google’s lead and offers a foldable with comparable specs to the iPhone 18 Pro Max — even if some of the hardware isn’t identical. At the same time, I also want to see Apple Pencil support. Steve Jobs may have hated phones with a stylus, but since the Fold is going to be a glorified tablet, the ability to use some kind of pen would be very useful.

Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

More from Tom’s Guide