Apple’s preparing to dive into the foldable phone fray! Now, rumors are abuzz about its very first foray into the development of an actual flip phone. This is not just a smart but bold new direction for smartphone industrial design. It comes almost 20 years after clamshell designs hit their height of popularity. Its entry continues a trend set by other manufacturers who have already begun pushing the foldable device possibilities.
The clamshell flip phone was the ultimate badge of cool, classy, rich and popular in 2005. As much as technology advances, so does the nostalgia tied to these amazing devices. Prof. David Ellis, chair of the University of Bath’s department of behavioral science, mentioned how users often seem very emotionally attached to flip phones. This relationship might be the most insidious reason these devices keep sucking people in.
“Apple and all other smartphone makers are somewhat stymied by the fact the smartphone has become somewhat of a boring category – it’s absolutely essential in people’s daily lives, but it no longer has the excitement of the next big thing,” stated Ben Wood, a prominent industry analyst. This fact underlines the imperative for creativity and originality in an ever more stale smartphone landscape.
Industry insiders feel that a foldable Apple mini-tablet would have the potential to totally change the competitive landscape. Ben Wood, who worked on this innovation at Environics, says that this innovation can potentially “move the needle.” Speculation suggests an introduction of a foldable device would help spark consumer excitement and reignite sales. Challenges remain, particularly regarding affordability. With an average price above $1,900, the premium cost of foldable phones isolates younger audiences. Consequently, underprivileged children are less likely to have access to these devices.
Today’s teens are bombarded with more than 200 notifications a day. This never-ending flow can intimidate them and pull them away from focusing on what’s most important. Margarita Panayiotou is a fellow in smart communities at University of Manchester. She told us that with a more simplified communication tool, like a flip phone, she could reach older adults in this demographic. This tool is a great way for parents to cut back on their kids’ non-stop distractions. Yet at the same time, it continues to deprive them of the very connection that keeps them going.
Aside from the novelty appeal, there are real benefits to foldable phones. As Prof. Ben Carter from King’s College London put it, video watching is “one of the big wins” for these devices. Foldable phones tend to have more durable screens and they fold up to be more easily pocketed in jacket or bag pockets than standard smart phones. This new feature alone might be enough to attract consumers who want a vehicle with both form and function.
As much as we may want to get excited by all of this progress, Apple has not yet introduced a smart flip phone. Their eventual release is likely to come. The company extends its deeply conservative approach toward innovation. These are companies that prioritize fine-tuning and perfecting their game plan before tackling a new front in the competitive landscape. As Wood noted, “Apple is rarely first to anything – it’s not typically a company that dives in with both feet – it likes to take its time, see how it can refine and optimise it, and deliver the best, most reliable experience, then it jumps.”