Where Apple Should Go After the iPhone Duo: Smaller and Larger Foldables

Regardless of one’s opinion on the iPhone Duo or its steep $1,999 price tag, its release demonstrates that Apple has successfully mastered foldable technology. More importantly, it signals that the company is willing to emulate strategies pioneered by competitors like Samsung and other Android manufacturers.

Given this willingness to follow established trends, there is strong advocacy for Apple to introduce a horizontally folding device similar to Samsung’s Z Flip series, as well as larger form factors akin to Lenovo’s X1 Fold or ASUS’s ZenBook Fold 17. A compact “iPhone Flip” could address the long-standing demand for a smaller iPhone, while a foldable iPad Pro could significantly distinguish Apple’s tablet lineup from the increasingly capable iPad Air.

Now that Apple has proven it can engineer ultra-thin devices connected by robust hinges, scaling these designs to different sizes should be more feasible. Critics hope the process does not mirror the nearly seven-year gap between Samsung’s initial Galaxy Z Fold releases and Apple’s own entry into the market.

For new CEO John Ternus, launching a smaller flip-style phone next year would serve as a logical follow-up to the iPhone Duo. Meanwhile, the large foldable tablet segment remains an area where Apple could innovate, particularly since competitors like ASUS and Lenovo have been slow to advance their offerings, which are largely tethered to Windows ecosystems.

A potential iPhone Flip would likely adhere to the design language set by Samsung. Such a device might resemble an iPhone 17 that folds downward, incorporating a small external display for notifications and basic tasks like selfies. Small foldables have been mainstream for six years and typically retail for half the price of their larger counterparts. Anecdotally, these compact devices are more commonly used by general consumers compared to the bulkier Z Fold models.

While rumors suggest Apple is planning a major redesign for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary next year, some argue that bezel-less screens with curved edges may not generate significant excitement. In contrast, a pocket-friendly flip phone could offer substantial appeal.

In the tablet space, Apple has opportunities to surpass ASUS and Lenovo by leveraging its software advantages. A foldable iPad could feature a Mini-sized external screen with a larger internal display, though cost considerations might lead Apple to omit the outer screen entirely. Users could utilize the device in full-screen tablet mode, folded as a pseudo-laptop with a haptic-feedback keyboard, or vertically for multitasking with a wireless keyboard attachment.

Unlike the 16.3-inch OLED screens used by rivals, Apple might target a 13-inch or 11-inch display for its foldable iPad Pro. The 13-inch version would remain practical when halved, while an 11-inch model could function as a portable journal. Interestingly, the naming conventions—Duo and Neo—echo Microsoft’s abandoned Surface Neo project, adding a layer of irony to Apple’s current product strategy.

Although developing a foldable iPad may take years due to limited current demand, Samsung has already paved the way for a potential iPhone Flip, providing Apple with a clear template to follow.