Galaxy Z Flip 5: The Foldable iPhone Alternative?

The Stunning Design

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 looks absolutely stunning in new exclusive renders, and that’s all thanks to its outer display which is almost as large as the display on the original iPhone (2007). Let that sink in…

The Need for a Foldable iPhone

As someone who uses an iPhone 13 mini as my primary phone, while testing devices like the Pixel 7 Pro, Galaxy S23 Ultra too, and iPhone 14 Pro, I happen to be the target audience for a clamshell foldable, but I know it in the bottom of my heart that Apple will likely never make one, but they really should.

Here’s to an alternative universe where Apple wasn’t making a VR headset but a foldable iPhone. And who knows… Tim Cook might be reading this and change his mind, pulling the multi-million dollar Apple VR headset project to replace it with a foldable iPhone. Yes. Totally. 100%.

The Creation of a Foldable iPhone

The foldable iPhone of my (and your) dreams is so easy to make! And until Apple makes it happen, might never pay $1,000 for a new iPhone.

Hey, Apple! I’m not paying $1,000 for an iPhone 15 Pro with a new Action button and thinner display borders.

The External Display

The Galaxy Z Flip 5’s external display will be nearly as big as the on in the original iPhone from 2007! This is the Vivo X Flip next to a Nokia E71.

The Reason for Buying Used iPhones

If you’re a regular PhoneArena reader, you might already know that I buy my iPhones from eBay because I am… practical. OK, I’m cheap.

That’s especially true after I fell for Google’s marketing for the Pixel 6 Pro, paying $900 upfront for a phone, which would go on to being a buggy mess almost a whole year into its existence. I made an exception to my rule and it turned out to be a mistake, which is why my next phone was a used (but pristine) iPhone 13 mini that I snagged for only $450! Including ten months of Apple warranty… baby. I’m sorry.

The Price of Pro iPhones

Other than me being practical, the other reason I wouldn’t shell out $1,000 for a new Apple flagship is because… I don’t believe Apple ever made an iPhone that’s truly worth $1,000 (iPhone X – iPhone 14 Pro). At least for me.

Compared to a vanilla iPhone, Apple’s “Pro” flagships boast extra features that never quite convinced me to jump over the psychological price threshold of $1,000…

• A 3x zoom camera (far behind compared to the competition, especially in low-light)
• A smoother 120Hz display (60Hz on iPhone has always been more than enough for me)
• A slightly more premium (but heavier) frame made out of stainless steel/titanium – not a real selling point, if you ask me

Of course there are other small advantages of going with a “Pro” iPhone, which would be even less relevant in the context of this story.

The Foldable iPhone Ransom Note

I’ll keep buying $500 iPhones from eBay until Apple makes a (foldable) phone that’s truly worth $1,000.

Apple was clever enough to set the price of the iPhone X to $1,000 – a head-spinning amount of money for a phone in 2017. However, the initial “shock” was well worth it as that’s what allowed Cupertino to keep the price of future “Pro” iPhones unchanged, making the once-shocking price seem more reasonable year after year. Nicely Cooked!

Sure, the whopping price of $1,000 might be a psychological barrier for me, but regardless, I just can’t talk myself into paying a (high) full price for an iPhone that barely brings anything (really) new to the table.

The Solution: A Foldable iPhone

Apple must make a “Galaxy Z Flip 5 that runs iOS” because this would be the first iPhone since the original that feels “completely new”; it’s easy for Apple to pull off; and because Apple would probably get it right from the first try.

VR is cool, but in the end of the day, why not glue an Apple Watch to the back of an iPhone, Apple? Samsung did it…

The Need for a Smaller Display

As an iPhone 13 mini user who likes being able to use his phone with one hand at all times, I don’t just want, but I need a smaller display, which is why an outer screen just like the one in the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is my dream solution to the problem with large iPhone displays.

The Smartest and Most Straightforward Way to Make a Foldable iPhone

Make a foldable iPhone and glue an Apple Watch to the back of it, Apple (a larger Apple Watch); that’s right – treating the rear display of a foldable phone like a smartwatch might be the smartest and most straightforward way to make this display truly useful and justify its existence; of course, I also wouldn’t mind running full-screen apps on this display but I think I like the idea of better-optimized apps more.

The Technical Feasibility

From a technical perspective, given that the tech is now certainly “there” (whatever that’s supposed to mean), it should be relatively easy for Apple to make a truly great clamshell folding iPhone; Samsung, Huawei, and a number of other Android phone-makers already paved the way for foldable phones, which means Apple can easily turn up late and steal the show – that happens more often than you’d know.

The Conclusion: A Foldable iPhone Dream

Looking at what the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is bringing to Android users got me… excited, jealous, and a little mad at Apple for straying away from the foldable form-factor. And here I am, protesting with my wallet (and this story). I’m doing my bit, folks!

FAQs

1. Why do you think Apple should make a foldable iPhone?

As an iPhone user who likes the clamshell form factor, I believe that Apple should make a foldable iPhone to cater to a wider range of users who prefer a smaller and more compact phone.

2. What are the advantages of a foldable iPhone?

A foldable iPhone would offer a smaller form factor, a larger outer display, and a unique design that feels “completely new”. It would also allow for better optimization of apps and justify the existence of the outer display.

3. Why wouldn’t you buy a Galaxy Z Flip 5 instead?

As a user who is “locked” into iOS, switching to a Galaxy Z Flip 5 might not be feasible for me. However, if Samsung gets it right, it could still be a viable option.

4. What do you think of the current price of iPhones?

I believe that Apple has never made an iPhone that’s truly worth $1,000 (iPhone X – iPhone 14 Pro). Compared to a vanilla iPhone, Apple’s “Pro” flagships boast extra features that never quite convinced me to jump over the psychological price threshold of $1,000.

5. What would be your ideal foldable iPhone?

My ideal foldable iPhone would have a smaller form factor, a larger outer display, and a unique design that feels “completely new”. It would also have an Apple Watch glued to the back of it to make the rear display truly useful and justify its existence.