Android's Head on Apple's Foldable Debut
Even before the iPhone Duo launched, Android and Samsung fans were ribbing Apple for being so late to the foldable phone party. After all, the first Galaxy Fold launched in 2019.
Right after the Apple September event, Samsung tweeted “Let us know when you're done reheating our leftovers.”
As the iPhone Duo pre-order date of October 16 approached, Sameer Samat, the president of Android Ecosystem at Google, shared his reaction.
During a discussion about new Googlebook laptops, which are powered by Android, Samat was asked for his thoughts on Apple’s foldable entry compared to existing Android foldables.
Better late than never
Samat noted that Apple’s foldable launch lags behind the Android camp.
“I think that it's wonderful to see more people realizing after so long that the foldable space is the place to be." Sameer Samat, Google
“I think that it's wonderful to see more people realizing after so long that the foldable space is the place to be. And Android is usually where you see the future first,” Samat stated.
Android indeed introduced foldables, including the wide passport form factor seen in the iPhone Duo, long before Apple. Samat himself is a strong advocate for devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
“The Fold 8 is an amazing device,” Samat said. “It helps me get so much work done. I actually find myself starting productivity quite often on that device, and then moving to my laptop.”
Apple's Market Impact
Analysts predict a significant foldable phone market share for Apple. Counterpoint Research, for instance, forecasts Apple will capture about 25% of the market in its first year, growing to 40% by the end of 2027.
The anticipated success is largely attributed to Apple's strong ecosystem. A reader comment highlighted the pent-up demand, despite some reported trade-offs of the iPhone Duo, such as its heavier weight compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
“Seriously, I've been waiting since the first Galaxy Z Fold for Apple to enter the arena (tried the Fold 5 and Fold 6, but just couldn't do Android because I'm locked into the rest of Apple's ecosystem),” one reader commented.
Despite Apple’s current momentum, Samat is confident that the Duo will have a halo effect on Android foldables, increasing overall interest in the category.
“I think that what this speaks to is something that we've known for a long time in the Android ecosystem, which is that the foldable space, the foldable form factor is awesome,” Samat added.
App Optimization and Developer Support
Apple could also gain a significant advantage in app support for larger foldable displays, given its strong push with developers.
During its event, Apple specifically showcased optimized apps like Slack and a foldable-friendly version of Netflix, contrasting with some Android foldable apps that still appear stretched.
“I think that as this form factor becomes more and more popular, developers realize that there's more and more value in investing in it.” Sameer Samat, Google
Samat acknowledged that work remains to be done, suggesting that Apple’s entry might paradoxically benefit Android’s foldable ecosystem.
“I think that as this form factor becomes more and more popular, developers realize that there's more and more value in investing in it,” Samat said. “One of the things that we've done is to make the tools simpler and easier for them to invest in. And of course there are apps that haven't made that transition yet. Either they're working on it, or we're in conversations with them, but there are also thousands of thousands of apps that have.”
He cited TikTok as an example of an app that works well on the Samsung Fold 8, offering an immersive viewing experience on the outside display and split-screen video and comments on the inside.
Many of Google’s own applications, including Gmail and YouTube, have also been fully optimized for foldable devices.
“We can cherry pick an app or two that you know one platform will have or the other platform will have, but the reality is this form factor is a hit,” Samat concluded. “It's growing. It was growing even before these last couple weeks, and I'm glad to see more people joining what is now the obvious party.”
