Apple is poised to make a significant impact on the foldable smartphone market with the anticipated release of its first foldable iPhone. Analysts predict that Apple’s entry could invigorate a segment that has recently experienced a slowdown in growth. Although global shipments of foldable smartphones saw an 8% decrease year-on-year in the first half of 2026, experts are optimistic about a resurgence in the latter half of the year, with projections indicating total shipments could reach around 23 million units. This upward trend is expected to continue into 2027.
Industry analysts forecast that Apple will rapidly capture a substantial portion of the foldable market following the debut of its new device. According to Smart Analytics Global, Apple could command 25% of global foldable shipments by the close of 2026, with that figure potentially climbing to approximately 41% by 2027. Despite this promising outlook, initial supply may be constrained due to the complexities involved in manufacturing foldable technology. Moreover, the device’s anticipated price point, exceeding $2,000, could initially limit its availability to select markets before a broader global release.
Research firm IDC anticipates that Apple’s involvement will significantly energize the foldable smartphone sector, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in the industry. Their forecasts suggest that Apple could ship over 17 million foldable iPhones in 2027, securing around 40% of the worldwide market share for foldables. IDC further projects the foldable smartphone market will expand to 22.9 million units in 2026, reflecting a 12.6% increase, and continue to grow by 18% to approximately 27 million units in 2027.
Apple’s launch is expected to alter the competitive dynamics within the foldable smartphone market, posing a challenge to established players such as Samsung, Huawei, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Reports indicate that Apple’s inaugural foldable device may feature a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch foldable main display. It is also likely to include Touch ID, an A20 Pro chip utilizing a 2-nanometer process, and dual 48-megapixel cameras.
Should Apple successfully navigate the hurdles of manufacturing complexity and its device’s high price point, the company could provide a substantial boost to the foldable smartphone category. This move has the potential to swiftly establish Apple as a dominant force in this emerging market segment.