Apple’s anticipated entry into the foldable smartphone arena with its inaugural foldable iPhone is poised to invigorate a sector that has recently experienced a downturn. While global shipments of foldable smartphones fell by 8% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, market analysts are optimistic about a rebound in the latter half of the year. Projections suggest that shipments for the entire year could reach approximately 23 million units, with growth expected to persist into 2027.
Industry experts are predicting that Apple will quickly secure a significant portion of the market following the release of its foldable device. According to projections from Smart Analytics Global, Apple could capture 25% of global foldable shipments by the close of 2026, with this figure potentially rising to around 41% in 2027. However, the launch is anticipated to encounter initial supply challenges due to the complexities involved in manufacturing foldable technology. The anticipated retail price, exceeding $2,000, may also temper early demand and limit availability, prompting Apple to initially release the product in select markets before a wider international rollout.
Research from IDC suggests that Apple’s foray into foldables could transform them into one of the smartphone industry’s most rapidly expanding segments. The firm forecasts that Apple could dispatch over 17 million foldable iPhones in 2027, securing roughly 40% of the global market share. Overall, IDC anticipates the foldable smartphone market to achieve 22.9 million units in 2026, reflecting a 12.6% increase, and to grow by an additional 18% to about 27 million units in 2027.
Apple’s introduction of a foldable device could also redefine the competitive landscape, posing a challenge to established players like Samsung, Huawei, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Reports indicate that Apple’s first foldable iPhone might boast a 5.5-inch cover display, a 7.8-inch foldable main screen, and advanced features such as Touch ID, an A20 Pro chip fabricated on a 2-nanometer process, and dual 48-megapixel cameras.
If Apple successfully navigates the manufacturing hurdles and addresses the issues related to its high price point, its entrance could provide a substantial boost to the foldable smartphone category, positioning the company as a dominant force in the market in short order.