The wider fold sounds like it would fix a lot of problems and I can’t wait for Apple to take a stab at it
Huawei’s wide foldable design has me excited about the future of foldable smartphones. The new Pura X Max pushes a wider, passport-like shape instead of the usual long and thin folding formula, and the effect seems to work faster. And that’s exactly why the foldable Apple rumors make so much sense to me.
The wide shape fixes what the standard folding still has
Most foldables still feel like two vulnerable devices masquerading as one. They are closed, they can be very thin or very thick. Open, they give you more screen, but not always in a way that feels inherently useful. Bigger is not the same thing as better if the aspect ratio still feels weird.
A wider fold changes that equation. Close, it can sound like a normal phone. Turned on, it begins to function as a small tablet instead of an extended handset. That’s a very convincing use of folding hardware.
That’s why Apple’s rumors have a short, broad wrap that promises. Even if it ends up being a little tricky to fit in a pocket, the trade-off might be worth it if the device feels more stable in the hand and more useful when unfolded.
This would be the closest thing to a pocket iPad mini
Apple making a wider iPhone Fold could avoid the “gimmicky” pitfall and offer performance closer to the portable iPad mini. It makes more sense to read, watch videos, browse, take notes, and even manage split-screen apps without feeling cramped.
The device may mimic some of the mobile second-screen behaviors that have made the iPad mini so valuable in Apple’s ecosystem. So it’s not just about Apple’s first foldable product, but rather how to combine the functionality of two levels of the device at the same time in a more believable way.
Apple also seems willing to make real trade-offs to get there. Recent reports claim that the foldable iPhone may ditch Face ID altogether, in favor of a camera technology that can be displayed on the internal screen. It may also lose control of the camera, suggesting that Apple is still trying to preserve the identity of the iPhone while adapting to a larger foldable form.
Apple can make everything sound easy
Huawei can prove that the idea of hardware works, but considering its limited release, Apple could be the type to give us the right taste of this new type of folding. But it won’t be the only one as rumors also point to Samsung working on a Wide Fold as well, which is expected to use a shorter, wider design with a 4:3 internal display and a tablet-like shape when unveiled.
If Apple gets the software right, the wide iPhone Fold could be the best portable second screen for document work, split-screen apps, video calls, and device progress. This is where Apple’s biggest advantage lies. The company isn’t always known for being original, but it makes devices feel effortless.
