Samsung initially hyped the industry when it announced the Galaxy Fold. But, the product was not released because of several issues. Despite Samsung's failure, it seems that Apple customers want the Cupertino-based tech giant to release its own foldable iPhones and surprisingly, they do not mind paying the extra $600 for it.
UBS recently conducted a consumer survey and discovered that over a third of their respondents are excited about a foldable iPhone as reported by CNBC. Interestingly, Apple customers allegedly showed willingness to pay for an additional $600 for the foldable iPhone. Huawei and Samsung initially announced that they are developing their respective foldable smartphones, but we are already approaching the end of the second quarter, and so far, no foldable smartphone is launched.
Samsung postponed the release of the Galaxy Fold and Huawei also postponed the release of its foldable Mate X. The foldable Motorola RAZR is also unheard of while several smartphone makers are yet to reveal their stands on foldable smartphones. There were earlier reports of Apple patent filing showing a foldable display, but so far, the Cupertino tech giant has yet to announce its take on the foldable smartphones.
UBS piloted the survey to measure the interest of customers in foldable devices. According to the report, the price remains the major hurdle in the majority of the customers' minds. The sufficient average premium against the regular smartphones surveyed to be between $400 and $500 according to the research. UBS also noted that Apple buyers are more interested in foldable products and are willing to pay the extra $600 or more over the usual smartphones.
Based on previous reports, the Samsung Galaxy Fold will be retailed at around $2000 while the Huawei Mate X reportedly will be retailed at a much higher price. UBS also revealed that the Cupertino tech giant is currently working on the technology for its foldable products despite the fact that Samsung dominates the patent filings for foldable devices and displays.
The report also claims that the new foldable device that Apple will release is not an iPhone but an iPad. After the foldable iPad is released, the report also notes that the release of the foldable iPad will be followed by foldable iPhones. A foldable Apple product could be released in 2020, but according to UBS, a highly likely release window would be 2021.
Please be reminded that these are not official reports. So, like all other claims, please take this with a pinch of salt.
