On Thursday, during Apple’s quarterly earnings call for the first fiscal quarter of 2025, CEO Tim Cook expressed a particularly optimistic view about the future of the iPhone lineup. When asked about potential innovations in iPhone form factors, Cook stated, “I think there’s a lot more to come,” and added, “I could not feel more optimistic about our product pipeline. So, I think there’s a lot of innovation left on the smartphone.”
Cook’s statement has sparked renewed interest and speculation about what Apple might have in store, particularly in light of ongoing rumors about new, groundbreaking iPhone models like the “iPhone Air” and a potential “foldable iPhone.”
I think there’s a lot more to come, and I could not feel more optimistic about our product pipeline. So, I think there’s a lot of innovation left on the smartphone. – Apple CEO Tim Cook, January 30, 2025
Rumors of an ultra-thin “iPhone Air” have been swirling for some time, with reports suggesting that Apple is working on a device significantly thinner than current models. This new model, tentatively dubbed the “iPhone 17 Air,” is expected to introduce a design that could be between 5mm and 6mm thick, which would make it the thinnest iPhone to date. The focus here is not just on aesthetics but on functionality, with the device potentially featuring a lower-powered chip and a single-lens camera to maintain affordability (and battery life) while pushing the boundaries of design. This aligns with Cook’s remarks about innovation, emphasizing Apple’s commitment to redefining the smartphone form factor.
Parallel to these developments, there’s considerable buzz about Apple’s venture into foldable smartphones. The idea of a “foldable iPhone” has been a topic of intense speculation, with some reports indicating that Apple might introduce a device with a top-down folding mechanism akin to traditional flip phones.
Such a device would not only showcase Apple’s prowess in engineering but also potentially solve some of the durability issues that have plagued other foldable phones in the market. Liquid Metal, anyone? The integration of Apple’s renowned ecosystem, including iPadOS-like multitasking capabilities, could make this foldable iPhone a significant leap in mobile technology.
MacDailyNews Take: While our iPhone 16 Pro Max units are remarkably excellent devices – the best iPhones, by far, that we’ve ever used – the iPhone brand in general could use some new, compelling form factors to spice things up going forward.
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As someone who has never owned a foldable smartphone, how would this all work? Would you be able to buy a protective case that allows it to still function as a tablet? If so, then how thick is that going to be in your pocket? When it’s closed, would there be an additional screen on the outside to answer calls? I can’t imagine needing to open it up to answer a call and being able to hold it to your ear. Like I’ve said, never owned or seen a foldable phone owned by someone in real life to know how something like that would function without being awkward in some cases.
I own a Samsung Z Fold 5 alongside my daily driver iPhone 15 Pro Max. There are cases that work in both folded and opened ‘tablet’ mode but they do add bulk, Pitaka probably makes the best slim cases but if Apple releases a foldable I’ll bet they’ll innovate more than what the market offers. Without a case the slimmest foldables when closed are only slightly thicker than an iPhone and yes they all have external screens so you don’t have to open them to take calls or do whatever you want quickly.
I’d like to see a foldable iPhone but from what I’ve heard they may start with a clamshell phone like the Z Flip (think flip phone but a folding smartphone) instead of the book-style like the Z Folds or Pixel Folds. Durability seems to have gotten much better since Samsung debuted the Z Fold but naturally a folding screen is more prone to problems over time. Also, if you’re keeping traditional smartphone aspect ratios for the outer screen then the tablet screen is going to be more like a square than the rectangular iPads we’re used to unless Apple jumps straight to a ‘tri-fold’ (technically a dual-fold) design with three iPhone sized parts that unfold into an iPad and collapse into an iPhone.