Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
This week is about Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, and why the most important question isn’t the hardware.
📱 iPhone Fold: Apple’s biggest unanswered question
I’m excited about the iPhone Fold.
But there’s one big question I can’t stop thinking about.
🧠 The real problem isn’t folding
Apple is in a strange position right now.
They’re about to release MacBooks powered by chips originally designed for the iPhone. Which means the same architecture can now run both macOS and iOS-based devices.
At the same time, iPads already run Apple’s more powerful M-series chips. But they still don’t run macOS. They run iPadOS.
Which is significantly more limited.
And the iPhone Fold creates an even stranger situation.
Because when it’s closed, it’s an iPhone. When it’s open, it’s basically an iPad mini.
What exactly is the iPhone Fold when it’s open?
Source: Mashable
📊 What we know so far
Most reports suggest the iPhone Fold will launch sometime in late 2026 or 2027.
And it won’t be cheap. Expected price estimates are currently around: $2,000 to $2,500
Which is basically the price of two iPhones glued together.
📊 How it compares to existing foldables
Here’s how it’s likely to stack up against current foldable phones:
Device | Price | Weight | Camera quality | Thickness (folded) | Software experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iPhone Fold | ~$2,000–$2,500 | Unknown | Likely slightly below Pro models | Unknown | Biggest unanswered question |
Galaxy Z Fold 7 | $1,899 | 239g | Worse than S-series Ultra | 12.1mm | Mature, but still feels like two devices |
Pixel Fold 2 | $1,799 | 283g | Good, but not flagship Pixel level | 12.1mm | Improving, but some apps still awkward |
Source: Tom’s Guide
⚖️ Foldables always involve trade-offs
Foldable phones are impressive but they always come with compromises.
Usually some combination of:
Worse cameras
Thicker design
More weight
Higher price
Software that doesn’t always feel fully optimized
You’re paying more. For something that’s not always better.
So I’m interested but I’m cautious.
Foldables always sound more compelling in theory than they feel in practice.
I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve actually held one.
Because if Apple gets the software right, this could be one of their most important products in years.
If they don’t…
It might just be a very expensive experiment.
Would you consider buying a foldable iPhone?
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📰 News worth knowing
📱 Samsung just announced the Galaxy S26 and new Buds4
Samsung unveiled its latest flagship phones — the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra — alongside the new Galaxy Buds4 at its Unpacked event.
The main focus this year is AI.
The phones can now help rewrite messages, summarize content, edit photos automatically, and perform tasks across apps more intelligently. The Buds4 also add live translation and adaptive sound that adjusts based on your environment.
Source: Engadget
🌍 Mobile World Congress 2026 shows where gadgets are heading next
Mobile World Congress 2026 kicked off in Barcelona, with companies showcasing their latest phones, wearables, and AI-powered devices.
The biggest theme this year is clear: everything is becoming AI-first.
Companies are building phones that can complete tasks for you, earbuds that translate conversations live, and laptops that generate content locally without needing the cloud.
Now the competition is about what the device can actually do for you, not just how powerful it is.
Source: Camera