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Apple plans to release a new generation of thinner and even foldable iPhone models to help stimulate the slowing international smartphone sales rate. The new designs, expected to be launched in the next few years, align with Apple’s plans to cater to customers' higher demands for new and affordable gadgets.
Apple is working on a new iPhone that will be slimmer than the current one and should ideally measure less than 8mm thick. The device is expected to provide a slimmer solution than existing ones and cost less than the Pro series. This could add more value to Apple’s products and help attract budget-conscious consumers while retaining the value of the quality of its designs.
The thinner iPhone could have a less complex camera system, allowing Apple to cut some expenses while still giving users the impression of using a high-end gadget. According to the sources, Apple aims for this model to be ready by 2025 to illustrate that it is also seeking innovative design solutions while managing costs. Apple believes that the new and improved model, which is lighter and slimmer in design, will spur demand among users in the high-end and value-conscious markets.
Apple is also developing a foldable iPhone, a segment in which the company has just joined other manufacturers such as Samsung and Huawei. Apple expects the foldable device to offer a much larger display than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which could have a screen size of over 6.9 inches. This could attract users who want portability and a device that can double up as a small tablet.
On the one hand, foldable technology offers a few opportunities, but Apple faces significant challenges in enhancing the fold’s structure and the screens’ durability. This may cause a shift in the timeline for a foldable iPhone, which may not be available until 2026 or even later. Moreover, it is developing even smaller folding options, reflecting clients' organizational need to carry such a device.
Apple's entry into the foldable market has the potential to change competition by addressing durability concerns and delivering a refined user experience. Several factors have hindered foldable devices from transitioning to the mainstream in the past, and the company has already established a design competency.
The introduction of new, thin, and foldable iPhones dovetails with Apple's overall company directions, which aim to expand its product line in the market for continuous growth. Recently, the updates of iPhones, for instance, the iPhone 16 series, have followed small improvements like faster processors and advanced cameras. However, analysts argue that these improvements have not driven upgrades at previous levels.
