3 Minutes
Apple's renewed confidence in foldables
Apple is reportedly stepping up its foldable hardware strategy. New analyst estimates indicate the company has raised its iPhone Fold shipment targets to 8–10 million units in 2026 and 20–25 million in 2027, up from earlier projections of 6–8 million and 10–15 million respectively. Those revisions suggest Apple expects strong mainstream demand for its first foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPad and product positioning
Alongside the iPhone Fold, Apple is said to be planning a foldable iPad in 2028. Current shipment estimates for the foldable iPad are modest — roughly 0.5–1 million units in 2028 — positioning it more as a niche, premium device focused on productivity and creative pros rather than a mass-market tablet.
Vision Air: lighter, cheaper, and more accessible
Apple's mixed-reality roadmap reportedly includes the Vision Air headset in 2027, a follow-up designed to address two major criticisms of the Vision Pro: weight and price. The Vision Air is expected to be about 40% lighter and cost less than half of the Vision Pro, with shipments forecast to reach around 1 million units in 2027 compared with roughly 400,000 Vision Pro units shipped since launch.
Product features and advantages
- iPhone Fold: anticipated to combine flagship iPhone performance with foldable OLED display technology, targeting mainstream consumers who want pocketable large-screen experiences.
- Foldable iPad: likely optimized for multitasking, stylus support, and creative workflows, catering to professionals and power users.
- Vision Air: thinner, lighter head-mounted design that aims to broaden AR/VR adoption by lowering cost and improving wearability.
Comparisons, use cases and market relevance
Compared to existing foldable phones from Android OEMs, the iPhone Fold could drive adoption through Apple's ecosystem integration, iOS optimization, and brand pull. The foldable iPad addresses creatives and enterprise users who need larger, reconfigurable screens. Vision Air targets mainstream mixed-reality users who were previously deterred by the Vision Pro's weight and premium price. Collectively, these moves signal Apple's intent to expand into foldable smartphones, premium convertible tablets, and more accessible spatial computing—areas poised to reshape device form factors and the broader mobile hardware market.
Comments