It’s probably fun to run a ~$5 trillion company like Apple. Everyone wants to be in John Ternus’ shoes, except Tim Cook, he obviously doesn’t want to stay on top of Apple at the moment.
There is a reason for this and it’s called iPhone Duo.
Passing the baton
It’s this stick that unfolds. | Apple Picture
Even though 2027 will be the most important year for Apple this decade (after all, in 2027 the iPhone will celebrate its 20th anniversary), 2026 is also quite significant. Tim Cookwho succeeded Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO and handed over the reins to John Ternus.
2026 is also the year Apple finally decided to join the foldable race (better late than never) with the new iPhone Duo. Although the very first the foldable iPhone has not yet reached users anywhere in the world (it will launch on October 23), the iPhone Duo was widely discussed during the unveiling event.
Current rumors
Speaking of availability and launch dates, the latest rumors about the iPhone Duo does not paint a particularly positive picture. Apple would still have difficulty accelerating the production of its first Foldable iPhonewith an early exit from iPhone Duo is expected to remain limited ahead of its October 23 launch. Foxconn supply chain sources reportedly estimated final assembly yield at just over 60% as of September 17, with production potentially needing another six months to a year to reach mature yields. Much of the problem appears to stem from Apple’s unusually strict quality requirements and lack of experience creating software. foldable phones, rather than a specific technological flaw. Foxconn reportedly repeatedly tweaked its equipment, assembly processes and production parameters to keep the line running smoothly. Samsung Display’s OLED panels and some hinge components also suffered from yield and delivery issues, giving Apple less time to refine production. The hinge itself would have been particularly problematic, with Apple testing and later reconsidering different approaches, including Liquid Metal.
You had seven years to prepare for this
No excuses, Apple. | Apple Picture
Apple has precisely no excuse for this delay… if that turns out to be true. If Cupertino had joined the foldable race in 2019 or 2020, sure, I’d be willing to give it a little breathing room if things got a little crazy at first. But in 2027, I have no more patience.
The phenomenon of delayed electronics is not new; in fact, it’s already boring. Whether it’s the new iPhone in a particular shade or the just-released Sony Playstation, it doesn’t matter. We are a little used to it, because we have been facing shortages for several years.
Of course it builds anticipation, but for the iPhone DuoI expected Apple not to go down this route.
Tim Cook bailed out
The iPhone Duo is here. | Apple Picture
Whether you approve or not Tim CookReign or not, the fact is that in its time, Apple experienced incredible growth. Everyone, at least in the United States and the European Union, covets devices with the fruit logo.
However, we have never seen Tim Cook-foldable era by Apple; THE iPhone Duo was surely sketched, extensively planned and developed in the months and years before Tim left, but it bears Ternus’ signature. He presented it, he owns it.
It’s a double-edged sword. If the iPhone Duo is considered a major success for Apple, Ternus will reap the rewards. The same rules apply if the phone turns out to be a disappointment and a market failure.
The way the current rumors are going – the ones about production issues – I think Tim Cook is a little relieved to have jumped before walking in the quicksand.
Gn tech
