Apple to launch a foldable iPad instead of the iPhone in 2024: Analyst

apple Analyst CCS Insight said Tuesday that the US tech giant will likely start trialling foldable technology soon.

CCS Insight published its annual forecast report on Tuesday as the group’s analysts make forecasts about products and future trends.

In its latest report, CCS Insight predicted that Apple would launch a foldable iPad within two years rather than starting with a foldable iPhone.

This is unlike other smartphone makers like Samsung who have Foldable smartphones launched Instead of tablets.

“Right now, it doesn’t make sense for Apple to make a foldable iPhone,” Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight, told CNBC. “We think it would avoid that trend and possibly dip a toe in the water with the foldable iPad.” in an interview.

“A foldable iPhone would be a very big risk for Apple. First, it would have to be very expensive not to take apart existing iPhones,” Wood added.

The analyst said the foldable iPhone will likely need to cost around $2,500. Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max with the most storage, and currently the most expensive model, costs around $1,599.

Wood also said that if Apple had any technical issues with the foldable phone, it would be a “mad fit” with critics attacking Apple over the issues.

However, Wood said Apple “has no choice but to respond as the trend toward foldable devices is gaining momentum,” so the company will start with the iPad.

He said it would give Apple an opportunity to learn how to implement and expand foldable screen technology as well as “breath new life” into the iPad range.

Apple was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.

There have been a number of grumblings about Apple’s intentions regarding foldable screen products. Earlier this year, market research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants He said It is unlikely that Apple will enter the foldable smartphone market until 2025 at the earliest. However, the company said that Apple is exploring foldable technology for screens of around 20 inches. The market research firm said that could focus on a new foldable notebook product.

Predictions about the foldable iPhone Meanwhile it has been around for at least four years. Last year, Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, a prominent Apple analyst known for his reliable forecasts, said the company might issue iPhone with foldable screen in 2024.

CCS Insight also expects Apple to continue investing in its chip design.

Currently, the Cupertino giant designs its own chips for the iPhone and iPad. It is based on the American chip maker Qualcomm For modems that allow these devices to connect to mobile Internet networks for a 5G connection.

Apple acquired Intel’s modem business in 2019. This has led to speculation that the tech giant will very quickly abandon Qualcomm and use its own modems in its devices. However, this has not happened yet.

Kuo of TF International Securities said in June that he expects the company to do so Continue to use Qualcomm chips for iPhone released in 2023.

Wood said Apple is “stepping up the internal capabilities” so it can use its modems in iPhones.

“They (Apple) have been shooting at this target for years. They got the assets from it Intel Corporation From the modem unit, they’ve worked really hard to ramp that up, they’re very keen to make sure they continue to grow their control points,” Wood said.

“They don’t want to keep paying a third party supplier for their technology.”