Samsung’s Galaxy Fold ran into a bunch of problems, but it seems many iPhone owners remain interested in seeing what Apple could do with the foldable form factor.
According to a new UBS survey of customers, iPhone owners show a “generally higher” level of interest in foldable handsets than other groups.
While the bank doesn’t break down the exact findings of its study, it notes that more than a third of overall smartphone buyers expressed interest in foldables. This number increased among Apple fans.
One likely reason? iPhone owners already pay more for their handsets. “Price remains the key hurdle in most consumers’ minds,” UBS notes. The majority of people were happy spending around $400 to $500 on a smartphone. For a foldable device, however, they were happy to spend upward of $600. That would be an increase on spending for regular smartphone users. For iPhone buyers already shelling out $1,000 for a new model, it would be a reduction in price.
Folding iPad coming in 2021?
UBS thinks Apple could come out with a foldable device by 2021. However, the bank predicts Apple’s first step into this market will be a folding iPad rather than an iPhone. This is something my currently vacationing Cult of Mac colleague Charlie Sorrel previously argued in favor of.
The firm thinks folding smartphones initially will take off in China. This would be similar to how China helped drive the adoption of larger displays. Apple embraced larger displays with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014.
Samsung will finally ship its delayed Galaxy Fold smartphone in September, around the same time as Apple’s next-gen iPhones.
Source: CNBC
