After Google pivoted away from its stout book-like foldable form factor found in the original Pixel Fold, Apple’s coming iPhone Fold and a future Samsung foldable may just end up copying the same idea.
The original Pixel Fold launched in 2023 as a device that, while impressive for a first go, was a little underwhelming in the long run due to issues with overheating. But the form factor was relatively unique in the market at the time, with a small and wide outer display that opened to a wider internal canvas. It was the exact opposite of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold template of the time, which offered a very narrow outer display that produced a portrait-optimized inner display which, admittedly, is still better for apps. For its second and third generations, Google walked back its unique design for something more akin to Samsung’s route.
But it seems the market may given the “passport” style foldable another try.
ETNews reports that Apple’s upcoming iPhone Fold, whatever it may end up being called, will adopt a 4:3 aspect ratio for the inner display, matching that of the iPad. Samsung is also now working on a “wide fold” with the same inner display aspect ratio. Google’s original Pixel Fold had a 6:5 aspect, ratio, just a bit taller than 4:3, so it stands to reason that these form factors from Apple and Samsung would both look a lot like the original Pixel Fold both when opened and closed.
The report (via @Jukanlosreve) goes on to detail that Apple would be using a 7.58-inch inner display and Samsung would have a 7.6-inch panel, with a 5.4-inch display on the outside of the Galaxy device. By comparison, the original Pixel Fold had a 5.8-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display.
Meanwhile, Apple’s device is apparently still working on its “crease-free” design.
9to5Google’s Take
So why, after the entire Android market went all-in on taller foldable form factors, are we going back to the original Pixel Fold’s design?
I think it all comes down to the apps.
For years now, I’ve been arguing that Samsung’s original take on the Fold’s inner display aspect ratio is the right choice for apps right now. Many Android apps haven’t been updated for proper tablet support, and on a widescreen foldable display like that of the original Pixel Fold, that was a hindrance to the entire experience. It’s very much the reason why Google was right to change its design in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. But as Google has continually invested in bolstering Android’s tablet app selection, it might be the right time to give this forgotten form factor another shot.
That same reason, though, is why it’s an absolute no-brainer for Apple to be going down this route. The inner display of an iPhone Fold matching that of the iPad immediately unlocks an app library that Android foldables can currently only dream of, though I’d imagine some apps will need scaling updates – not that Apple ever has trouble getting developers on board with new ideas, even the bad ones.
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