Apple Foldable iPhone Predicted to Become China Status Symbol
Apple is set to unveil its first foldable iPhone on Wednesday, and one analyst predicts it could become a status symbol in China. The device will reportedly start at $2,199, but senior smartphone market researcher Nabila Popal believes the high price and limited positioning will strengthen its appeal among luxury-focused consumers.
'Despite the high price, the foldable iPhone will be wildly successful,' Popal said. 'I won't be surprised if it becomes the 'Birkin' of smartphones in China.'
HSBC analyst Nicolas Cote-Colisson also expects Apple to introduce a new book-style foldable iPhone Ultra and an updated Apple Watch, as well as raise iPhone prices by at least $100 across the lineup. Cote-Colisson attributed this increase to higher memory costs.
However, not everyone on Wall Street is convinced that the new hardware will be enough to address Apple's broader strategic challenges. Needham analyst Laura Martin maintained a 'Hold' rating on Apple, citing concerns about the company's reliance on Google's Gemini for core AI functionality and its limited investment in AI relative to peers.