Reports in early September pointed to Apple preparing a foldable device, moving toward a category that competitors have sold for years. A foldable from the largest phone maker would be a validation of the format rather than an invention of it, and would likely push the whole market forward.
Foldables have matured from fragile novelties into more durable products, and a major entrant tends to accelerate refinement across suppliers and software.
What it means: when a dominant player enters a category, accessories, apps and support usually follow quickly. For businesses that issue devices or build apps, a new mainstream form factor is worth planning for, because it changes screen sizes and usage patterns that software has to handle.