Khaberni - The global competition between Korean Samsung Electronics and American Apple in the smartphone sector is likely to witness new developments, including the launch of foldable phones and changes in product rollout schedules.
Changing the Launch Schedule
Apple is expected to split the launch of new iPhones into two annual events starting this year.
The company is also expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone, alongside its flagship devices iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, in September, according to reports from major media outlets, including Bloomberg.
The iPhone 18, the basic model, was traditionally launched with the flagship series, but now it appears it will be released separately in the first half of next year along with the second generation of the ultra-thin iPhone Air, according to a report by Korea JoongAng Daily, as seen by Al Arabiya Business.
Departing from its usual practice of offering a full iPhone series every fall, Apple is likely to unveil the standard models in the first half of the year and the flagship devices in the second half, according to industry observers.
This change is widely regarded as a practical business decision aimed at flexibly responding to the shortage of semiconductor memories.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said during a profit discussion call in January that memory prices are experiencing a notable increase, indicating that various measures will be reviewed to address the significant rise in costs.
Staging the launch dates can alleviate pressure on the supply chains of components and improve production efficiency among manufacturing partners. It can also help companies establish a stable revenue cycle throughout the year.
Samsung, Apple's major competitor, has already adopted a biannual launch schedule, typically launching its flagship Galaxy S series in the first half of the year, and its foldable Z series in the second half.
The Foldable Phones
Competition is likely to intensify further in the second half of this year if Apple launches its first foldable smartphone, preliminarily referred to as "iPhone Fold".
Apple's entry into the foldable phone market comes seven years after Samsung launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019. Observers expect Apple to adopt a 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in a wider screen design.
However, some analysts remain cautious about the production timeline. Some media have reported that Apple is facing technical challenges in the design and testing stages, which may delay the production and shipments of its first foldable iPhone beyond initial expectations.
Samsung is also expected to unveil a new foldable model called "Fold Wide" with a larger horizontal screen at the "Galaxy Unpacked" event in July, a move that seems to respond to Apple's anticipated plans.
While previous Samsung foldable phones have featured a nearly square aspect ratio of 1.1:1, it appears the company is now poised to introduce a wider design similar to Apple's expected design.
Market Expansion
Apple's entry into the foldable phone market is a positive development for the Korean company.
Although Samsung may face stiffer competition, industry sources anticipate that Apple's entry will generally expand the market. Counterpoint Research, a market research firm, projects that global shipments of foldable smartphones will grow by about 20% annually with Apple's entry into the market.
Component suppliers, including Korean manufacturers, are also expected to benefit.
In particular, Samsung Display, a Samsung affiliate that supplies OLED screens used in foldable devices, is likely to see improved performance.
According to media reports, Apple has decided to rely exclusively on Samsung Display to supply foldable OLED screens for the next three years.
Reports have indicated that BOE, a Chinese company, did not meet Apple's technical standards due to issues such as low production rates and screen burn-in.
