The iPhone Air makes much more sense than any foldable. Here's why
Foldables are pretty cool. There's no denying that. And yet, more than five years into the foldable smartphone idea, one big company is still reluctant to hop on that train. And I think I know why.
This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
Foldables are pretty cool. There's no denying that. Back in 2019, when the folding craze started, I was genuinely excited. My sci-fi dreams were becoming reality. I thought, "There's the next smartphone revolution! What the first iPhone did back in 2007 is about to be repeated by this new folding form factor."
And yet, more than five years into the foldable smartphone idea, one big company is still reluctant to hop on that train. And I think I know why.
I'm talking about Apple, of course, and one of the hottest topics in the industry for the past couple of months—the foldable iPhone.
Here's the thing, though. Apple has always focused on user experience before flashiness. And while other brands are trying to flex and fold their way into the smartphone future, Apple is weighing the pros and cons of the foldable design very, very carefully. And offering something much more practical instead. The iPhone Air.
What's behind the iPhone Air philosophy?
The first MacBook Air
Some might argue that Apple blatantly copied Samsung (and the Galaxy S25 Edge) with the iPhone Air design, but I have to disagree. The "Air" idea goes way back in Apple's portfolio, and when the company added the badge to the MacBook back in 2008, it wasn't copying ultrabooks, Apple was offering its vision of the ultraportable laptop. As time showed, the company got that one right.
The same philosophy applies to the iPhone Air. Apple made this as light and elegant as physics allows, but not as a proof-of-concept or a futile engineering exercise. The iPhone Air is designed around efficiency and comfort, rather than flashiness.
But why do I think the future belongs to thin, lightweight phones rather than foldables? There's one fundamental reason.
Foldables still feel like prototypes (and we're lazy, too)
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 still has a crease and still weighs over 200 grams
Let’s talk foldables. They’re fascinating pieces of tech—hinges, flex glass, clever engineering—but they also require one thing people get tired of real fast. The physical act of unfolding and folding them. Great to show off, but not something you want to do dozens of times a day.
Foldables are also heavier, thicker, more fragile, and more expensive. And more than five years in, foldables still feel like a compromise. The creases are still there, water resistance is quite sketchy, and screens suffer damage.
And here lies the answer to the foldable iPhone question. Does all of the above sound like Apple?
The company's philosophy has always been to offer devices that enhance your daily life, seamlessly integrate into your routines, and make your life easier, not more complicated.
Recommended Stories
The iPhone Air—flawed at first glance, amazing to use daily
The iPhone Air seems pointless, until you hold it in your hand
When the iPhone Air was first announced, opinions were quite polarized. Some thought it was a gimmick bound to fail with no practical purpose whatsoever, while others hailed it as an amazing design innovation.
Now, a couple of weeks later, after the seas of passion have calmed down a little, people can really see the idea behind the iPhone Air.
On paper, the Air is full of compromises—there's just one camera, the battery is rather small, and charging isn't the fastest. But once you start using the device, you can feel that the experience more than makes up for all of the above.
You don't need to fold and unfold the iPhone Air. It's so light and easy on the hand (and pocket), the 6.5-inch screen size is the perfect middle ground, it's fast, and it still costs much less than a foldable. Do people really need a weird aspect ratio screen with a crease in the middle?
The real people problem
Who needs a square screen anyway...
Most people don’t need more screens—they need less hassle. Foldables solve a problem few people actually have while introducing a few more: durability, usability, and price.
Actually, "solve" is a bit of an overstatement. The rectangular screen offers no benefit for media consumption, it kind of enhances productivity, but mobile operating systems are not built for multitasking in the first place, and in the end, foldables are just glorified internet browsing devices.
I know this might sound a bit radical, but I've heard testimony from many foldable users saying they end up using the cover screen most of the time. Which defeats the purpose of having a foldable in the first place. Why carry around a bulky and heavy device when you're not even using it as intended?
An iPhone Air, on the other hand, solves a universal problem—the modern smartphone’s slow drift toward bulk. Every year, devices get faster, smarter… but also bigger and heavier. An Air model could be Apple’s reset button—the “this is how light your phone should feel” statement.
Are we even getting a foldable iPhone?
The iPhone Fold might never happen
That's a good question. In their current state, foldables are still unpolished and still suffer from first-gen problems. They are getting there, but Apple doesn't sell prototypes and gimmicks. Every product is a well-thought-out piece of the puzzle and must fall into place perfectly.
I can see a long and happy life ahead for the iPhone Air, while the birth certificate of the foldable iPhone is still being printed. Maybe this is our wake-up call and a change of direction? What do you think about this? Do you prefer foldable phones or a device that's thin and lightweight?
"Iconic Phones" is coming this Fall!
Relive the most iconic and unforgettable phones from the past 20 years! Iconic Phones is a stunningly illustrated book we’ve been crafting for over a year—and it’s set to launch in just a couple of months!
Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips is the ultimate coffee table book for any phone enthusiast. Featuring the stories of more than 20 beloved devices, it takes you on a nostalgic journey through the mobile revolution that transformed our world. Don’t miss out—sign up today to lock in your early-bird discount!
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: