APPLE’S FOLDABLE iPHONE: THE FUTURE OR A PRICED‑OUT PRANK? (2024)

Picture this: you're scrolling through your feed, the sun is setting, and you suddenly wish your phone could transform into a mini‑tablet for binge‑watching that new series. Apple, the king of "we're going to change everything," is reportedly cooking up a foldable iPhone that could do just that. Rumors say it will be a book‑style device that opens horizontally, not the clamshell flip‑phone style we've seen before. The price? A jaw‑dropping $2,000 to $2,400. That's more than the price of a decent car, folks. Let's dive into the hype, the specs, the tech, and why you might want to keep your wallet safe.

1. The Rumor Mill Goes Wild: Apple’s Foldable Dream

Samsung foldables have been around for years, but Apple is reportedly prepping three high‑end products, including a foldable iPhone. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is the source, and he's not pulling any punches. The phone's outer display would measure 5.5 inches, but unfold it, and you'll see a 7.8‑inch screen that's basically a mini‑iPad. Think of it as a phone that transforms into an iPad mini when unfolded.

Apple's rumored design is a book‑style fold that opens horizontally, a departure from the vertical flip‑phone style that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 7 use. The company is also said to be working on a crease‑free display, in‑display sensors, and a price tag of at least $2,000 (but possibly $2,400). That would put it above Samsung's $1,999 Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which starts at $1,799.

Other rumored features include four cameras—two on the front and two on the back—an 5,000mAh or higher battery, and Touch ID instead of Face ID. To no surprise, the phone would be eSIM‑only, just like the last several generations of the regular iPhone.

Foldable phones seem like an innovative and potentially helpful twist on the traditional smartphone. Even with big‑screen phones like the iPhone Pro Max series, playing games, watching videos, or multitasking isn't as satisfying as on a larger tablet. Apple is certainly hoping that enough customers will be lined up to buy a foldable iPhone once it arrives.

What the Rumors Say

Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is a book‑style device that opens horizontally, with a 5.5‑inch outer display and a 7.8‑inch inner display. The company is also said to be working on a crease‑free display, in‑display sensors, and a price tag of at least $2,000 (but possibly $2,400). That would put it above Samsung's $1,999 Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which starts at $1,799.

Other rumored features include four cameras—two on the front and two on the back—an 5,000mAh or higher battery, and Touch ID instead of Face ID. To no surprise, the phone would be eSIM‑only, just like the last several generations of the regular iPhone.

2. The Specs That Make Your Wallet Cry

Let's break down the numbers that will make your bank account scream. Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is priced at a minimum of $2,000, with some reports suggesting it could hit $2,400. That's a price premium of 20% to 25% over Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold. If you're already paying $1,999 for a foldable phone, you're basically buying a luxury car for your pocket.

The display specs are equally jaw‑dropping. The outer screen is 5.5 inches, which is about the size of a standard iPhone. Unfold it, and you get a 7.8‑inch display that's roughly the size of an iPad mini. That's a 1.3‑inch increase in width and a 1.5‑inch increase in height, giving you a total screen area that's almost double the size of a regular iPhone.

Apple is also rumored to be adding four cameras—two on the front and two on the back—along with a 5,000mAh or higher battery. That's a 25% increase in battery capacity over the iPhone 16 Pro's 4,400mAh battery. The phone will also feature Touch ID instead of Face ID, which is a controversial move that could alienate some users.

Finally, the phone will be eSIM‑only, meaning you'll have to rely on digital SIMs for connectivity. That's a major inconvenience for people who still carry physical SIM cards.

Price Tag, Display, and the Book‑Style Fold

Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is priced at a minimum of $2,000, with some reports suggesting it could hit $2,400. That's a price premium of 20% to 25% over Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold. If you're already paying $1,999 for a foldable phone, you're basically buying a luxury car for your pocket.

The display specs are equally jaw‑dropping. The outer screen is 5.5 inches, which is about the size of a standard iPhone. Unfold it, and you get a 7.8‑inch display that's roughly the size of an iPad mini. That's a 1.3‑inch increase in width and a 1.5‑inch increase in height, giving you a total screen area that's almost double the size of a standard iPhone.

Apple is also rumored to be adding four cameras—two on the front and two on the back—along with a 5,000mAh or higher battery. That's a 25% increase in battery capacity over the iPhone 16 Pro's 4,400mAh battery. The phone will also feature Touch ID instead of Face ID, which is a controversial move that could alienate some users.

Finally