Apple's Foldable iPhone: 7 Years Late, But Does Timing Matter?

Samsung launched the Galaxy Fold in 2019. It was a disaster.

The screen failed after days. Reviewers peeled off the "screen protector" (it wasn't removable—that was the screen). Dust got into the hinge.

Samsung recalled it, fixed it, and relaunched. By Fold 3 (2021), it worked. By Fold 6 (2024), it was mainstream.

Apple is launching the iPhone Fold in late 2026—7 years after Samsung's first attempt.

By then: • Samsung will be on Fold 7 • Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi will dominate Asia's foldable market • Early adopters will have moved on to flip phones or abandoned foldables entirely

So why would Apple enter a saturated, mature market 7 years behind the competition?

Because for B2B buyers, Apple isn't late—Samsung was early.

Samsung's Fold 1-3 were essentially public beta tests. Users paid €1,800 to be guinea pigs.

By Fold 4-6, Samsung fixed: • Hinge durability: 200,000+ folds (vs. 20,000 on Fold 1) • Screen protector: Integrated, no longer removable • Crease visibility: Still there, but less pronounced • Software optimization: Split-screen, app continuity

Apple will launch with these problems already solved. Not because Apple innovated—because Samsung did the hard work.

The Apple advantage: Enter late, avoid early failures, charge premium.

The Samsung advantage: 7-year head start, proven enterprise relationships, mature ecosystem.

iPhone 16 Pro launched in September 2024. Within weeks, users reported excessive scratches.

Reddit threads:

"Buyers Aren't Happy | Users on social media are calling the new iPhones 'scratch magnets,' and advising buyers to ensure they are using a phone case."

The issue: iPhone 16 Pro's titanium frame and glass coating scratch more easily than previous models.

The risk: Foldable screens are softer than glass. They use ultra-thin glass or plastic layers to enable folding.

If iPhone 16 Pro scratches easily, iPhone Fold will scratch worse.

For consumers, scratches are annoying. For enterprises, they're: • Replacement costs: €1,799 per device • User complaints: "My $2,000 phone looks terrible after 3 months" • Warranty disputes: Is scratching covered? (Usually no.)

Samsung Fold users know this. They use screen protectors and cases. They accept that foldable screens are fragile.

Apple users expect premium durability. If iPhone Fold scratches like iPhone 16 Pro, the backlash will be severe.

Multiple leakers confirm: iPhone Fold Gen 1 will NOT have Face ID.

Why? The TrueDepth camera system conflicts with the hinge mechanism.

Instead, Apple will use: • Touch ID (side button) • Passcode

For consumers, this is inconvenient. For enterprises, it's a dealbreaker.

Many B2B environments require: • Biometric authentication (Face ID or equivalent) • MDM compliance (device management policies) • Secure app access (banking, healthcare, legal)

Touch ID is less secure than Face ID: • Spoofable: Fingerprint molds can bypass Touch ID • Physical access required: Face ID works from a distance • Dirty hands/gloves: Touch ID fails, Face ID works

If your company's security policy mandates Face ID, iPhone Fold is a non-starter—even if everything else is perfect.

Ming-Chi Kuo (Apple analyst with strong track record) reported in December 2025:

"Development of the foldable iPhone is behind earlier expectations, but the product is still expected to announce in the second half of 2026. Due to early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, smooth shipments may not occur until 2027."

Translation: Apple will announce iPhone Fold in September 2026, but you won't get one until Q1-Q2 2027.

The enterprise problem:

Most B2B tech budgets lock in Q4 of the previous year.

If your company is planning 2027 device purchases, the decision happens in October-December 2026.

If iPhone Fold is announced but not shipping, enterprises can't: • Test it • Evaluate durability • Compare it to Samsung Fold 7 • Include it in 2027 budgets

By the time iPhone Fold ships (Q2 2027), enterprises have already committed to: • Samsung Fold 7 (available Q3 2026) • Standard iPhones (available Q3 2026)

Apple will miss the 2027 enterprise purchasing cycle entirely.

By 2026, Samsung has 7 years of enterprise foldable relationships.

IT departments already have: • MDM policies for Fold devices • Procurement contracts with Samsung • Durability data from 3-4 years of deployments • User training and support infrastructure

Switching costs are high: • Rewrite MDM policies • Renegotiate vendor contracts • Retrain users • Test new devices • Replace infrastructure

Apple's pitch: "We're better."

Enterprise response: "Prove it. And prove it's worth the switching cost."

For Apple to win enterprise foldable buyers, they need:

1. Significantly better durability (not just equal to Fold 7)
2. Face ID (they won't have it Gen 1)
3. Competitive pricing (they won't—€1,799 vs Samsung's €1,599)
4. On-time delivery (Kuo says no)

Without all four, enterprises stick with Samsung.

Here's the counterargument: Apple doesn't need to be first. They need to be best.

Examples where Apple was late but dominated: • MP3 players: iPod launched 2001 (Creative Nomad launched 1999). iPod won. • Smartphones: iPhone launched 2007 (BlackBerry launched 2003). iPhone won. • Tablets: iPad launched 2010 (Microsoft Tablet PC launched 2002). iPad won. • Smartwatches: Apple Watch launched 2015 (Pebble launched 2013). Apple Watch won.

Apple's strategy: let competitors beta-test, then perfect the category.

For foldables: • Samsung beta-tested hinges (Fold 1-3) • Huawei beta-tested crease reduction • Oppo beta-tested flip form factors

Apple will launch with all these lessons learned.

The question: Is 7 years late too late? Or is it perfect timing?

Apple's foldable iPhone is a gamble.

If it works: • Enterprises that waited for "proven Apple quality" will adopt en masse • Samsung's 7-year lead becomes a liability ("old tech") • Apple captures premium B2B buyers

If it fails: • Enterprises stick with Samsung Fold 7-8 (proven, cheaper) • iPhone Fold becomes a niche luxury item • Apple admits defeat by Gen 2 or abandons category

The wildcards:

1. Durability: If iPhone Fold scratches like iPhone 16 Pro, it's DOA.
2. Face ID: If Gen 1 lacks it, enterprise adoption is minimal.
3. Timing: If shipping delays push to Q2 2027, enterprises skip 2027 budgets.
4. Price: If €1,799 can't justify "better than Samsung Fold 7," CFOs say no.

Apple isn't late to foldables. They're strategically patient.

But patience only works if execution is flawless.

One durability scandal, one shipping delay, one security compromise—and 7 years of patience becomes 7 years of missed opportunity.

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