We’ll throw Apple’s alleged foldables in the mix, since those could be affected by Motorola’s move as well!
Concept render of the iPhone Flip. | Image credit – Let’s Go Digital
Motorola is rumored to push the Razr envelope and launch a book-style foldable handset. This is hinted by a newly discovered patent that suggests Motorola may be working on one. The patent describes a device featuring a low-profile patch antenna for satellite connectivity.
Obviously, this would allow Motorola to compete with models like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (another upcoming book style foldable). So far, Motorola has been manufacturing only clamshell foldables – and there are some pretty respectable models among those.
Back to the book style foldable possibility, though. Although many patents never become actual products, a book-style foldable with satellite connectivity is the logical move for Motorola. Motorola has the experience with foldables, so it’s an uncharted territory for the company.
As may’ve noticed, the foldable market is becoming increasingly competitive, with brands like Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Oppo, and Honor pushing innovation. The latest proof of that is the incredibly sleek and potent Oppo Find N5, a.k.a. The Foldable King: it packs a top-shelf Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, great displays and cameras, it’s mighty durable and elegant, and much more.
So, if Motorola maintains the sleek design of its Razr series and keeps pricing competitive, it could have a hit on their hands.
What has Motorola got to do with Google!?
A concept image of an iPhone Flip. | Image credit – iOS News Beta
The correct question that we have to ask ourselves is: what does a Motorola phone have to do with a non-existent Google Pixel Flip phone? It gets even messier if we add to the equation the fact that the aforementioned Motorola device is… also non-existent at the moment.So, what’s the deal with Google? Well, the search engine giant is precisely on Motorola’s flip side (pun intended). Google has been producing solely book style foldables and no clamshells. It’s about time they made a Pixel Flip, and that’s not just me banging the drum. As we’ve reported, there were hints at a potential Pixel Flip coming in 2025 – these hints were from 2022!
Redditors have long been asking for the Pixel Flip as well, with discussions popping up quite regularly. There is interest and speculation about such a device, and what’s more: users share (subjective) observations that there are plenty of clamshell owners out there simply because the price of a clamshell is less than that of a book style foldable.
Image source – Reddit
You get the flashy technological advancement to brag about – namely, a phone that folds in two – without breaking the bank.
Will Motorola’s new foldable act as a catalyst for Google to pull the trigger and make a Pixel Flip? I sure hope so.
This brings me to the fruit logo company and the fact that…
Apple is so late to the party!
A render depicting the foldable iPhone. | Image credit – AppleInsider
If things go down my way and a Pixel Flip materializes soon enough, this might mean that Apple will have to combat two rivals at once.
And these aren’t some far-off Far East exotic brands that ring no bells for the broad US audience. We’re not talking about Vivo, Honor, Oppo, or Xiaomi foldables here – even though Xiaomi has been getting so much attention across the world lately – no, it’s Google and Motorola that Apple will be against.
Both companies will have a full-fleshed foldable folio, consisting of both horizontal and vertical bending phones. And Apple will still fiddle around with Siri, I presume. Not to be cheeky about it, but Apple’s Siri will get its artificial intelligence enhancements next year, not in 2025 – and people got agitated.
The book style foldable iPhone and the clamshell iPhone might not materialize until late 2026, or even 2027, as per current industry rumors.
Reputable insider Ming-Chi Kuo expects the iPhone Fold device to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen. Instead of Face ID, it may rely on Touch ID integrated into the side button due to space constraints. Apple is also expected to emphasize AI-driven features, using the larger screen for advanced multitasking and app integration.
The Oppo Find N5 is amazing! | Image credit – PhoneArena
The build is rumored to include a titanium casing and a stainless steel-titanium alloy hinge for durability while maintaining a slim profile (just 9mm, or 9.5mm thick when folded, which isn’t impressive, given that the Oppo Find N5 – a 2025 device is under 9mm).
The price for the book style foldable is expected to exceed $2,000, making it significantly more expensive than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup. I’m tempted to say that this is another problem for Cupertino, but then again, it’s Apple we’re talking about here: when has a high price stopped fans from getting a gadget with a fruit logo on?
It’s also true that Apple has that brand recognition that neither Google Pixel nor Motorola phones benefit from. But a nice Google Flip phone here and a solid book style foldable by Motorola there will just add to Apple’s woes.
