Apple is poised to make one of the most impressive debuts in recent smartphone history. According to Counterpoint Research’s latest forecast, the company’s first foldable iPhone is expected to capture a remarkable 25% share of global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026 — its very first year (really, quarter) in the category — while helping propel the overall market to robust 21% year-over-year growth.

This is no ordinary product launch. In a segment long dominated by a handful of Android players, Apple is projected to debut in a clear second place, ahead of Huawei (24%) and closing the gap dramatically on market leader Samsung, whose share is forecast to decline from 40% in 2025 to 32%. Motorola and HONOR are expected to see further erosion of their positions, underscoring how Apple’s entry is poised to reshape the competitive landscape overnight.

Global Foldable Smartphone Shipment Share by OEM, 2025 vs 2026F

What makes this projection especially powerful is the nature of the demand Apple is expected to unlock. Counterpoint notes that Apple’s arrival will intensify competition specifically in the premium book-type foldable segment—the form factor that prioritizes productivity, multitasking, and expansive screen real estate over pure novelty. As AI features evolve beyond simple chat into everyday workflows such as document summarization, content editing, schedule management, and seamless cross-app information movement, a wider, more flexible canvas becomes essential. Apple’s anticipated design approach aligns perfectly with this shift, positioning the foldable iPhone as a natural extension of the company’s longstanding focus on refined user experience, seamless ecosystem integration, and premium craftsmanship.

Samsung is set to retain the overall lead for now, but the narrowing of its advantage to just seven percentage points over Apple highlights the disruptive force of Cupertino’s entry. Other brands that once held meaningful shares are projected to lose ground, illustrating how a single, highly anticipated Apple product can redefine market dynamics and accelerate category maturation.

The 21% growth forecast for the global foldable market in 2026 is itself a vote of confidence in the category’s future, and Counterpoint explicitly ties much of that expansion to Apple’s influence. By bringing its massive, loyal customer base, rigorous attention to durability and software optimization, and unmatched brand prestige into the foldable arena, Apple is expected to expand the total addressable market rather than merely redistribute existing demand. Premium book-style devices stand to benefit most, moving foldables further from experimental gadgets toward mainstream productivity tools.

For years, observers have waited for Apple’s carefully timed move into foldables. The Counterpoint numbers suggest that timing was deliberate and strategic. Rather than rushing to market, Apple appears positioned to enter with a product that not only claims a quarter of all foldable shipments in its first quarter, but also elevates the entire segment—raising expectations for design excellence, software polish, and real-world utility.

In short, 2026 is shaping up as the year the foldable smartphone market comes of age, and Apple is set to be one of its primary architects. Capturing 25% share on debut is more than a strong start; it is a clear signal that when Apple decides a category is ready, the industry—and consumers — take notice.
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MacDailyNews Take: And, in 2027, if they don’t actually exceed Counterpoint’s projection and claim the crown straight off in Q226, after a mere three months on the market, Apple’s iPhone will be No.1 in foldable smartphones. Apple’s well-heeled customer base guarantees it.

As with fingerprint and facial recognition, when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, then foldable smartphones will have been done right. – MacDailyNews, January 17, 2019

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The post Apple’s foldable iPhone to grab 25% of foldable smartphone sales this year – Counterpoint Research appeared first on MacDailyNews.

The enthusiastic response to Samsung’s wide Galaxy Z Fold8 suggests Apple’s similarly shaped folding iPhone could become a big hit.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Apple is poised to enter the foldable smartphone market with its first folding iPhone, widely rumored to be branded as the iPhone Ultra (or simply “iPhone Fold”). Expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September 2026, the device marks a major milestone in Apple’s mobile strategy after years of development focused on solving the durability issues that plagued early market rivals.

Design: Passport Profile, Titanium Frame, and Liquidmetal Hinge

• Form Factor: The device adopts a book-style horizontal fold (opening like a book) rather than a vertical flip form factor. When closed, it features a wider “passport-style” profile—more similar to the original Google Pixel Fold than Samsung’s narrower Z Fold series.

• Dimensions: Rumored chassis measurements point to an ultrathin design: roughly 4.5–4.8 mm unfolded and 9.0–9.5 mm folded.

• Liquidmetal & Hinge Tech: Apple is widely reported to be using Liquidmetal (bulk metallic glass) for key internal hinge components. Unlike standard crystalline metals, this alloy has an amorphous, glass-like atomic structure that offers exceptional elasticity, high yield strength, and superior wear resistance. This design choice allows the hinge to withstand hundreds of thousands of folds without loosening or deforming, while working alongside 3D-printed titanium support plates and chemically treated ultra-thin glass (UTG) to minimize screen creasing.

• Biometrics & Hardware: Due to the ultra-slim profile when unfolded, Face ID hardware may be replaced by a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button. Wireless charging and MagSafe compatibility are expected to remain, supported by a specialized back plate structure.

Display: Dual Screens Built for Multitasking

• Inner Display: A 7.7–7.8-inch flexible OLED panel with a roughly 4:3 aspect ratio, giving users an iPad mini-like workspace when unfolded.

• Outer Display: A 5.3–5.5-inch cover screen optimized for quick single-handed tasks when folded.

• Software Experience: The foldable runs a customized version of iOS with adaptive multitasking features designed for multi-window layouts and intermediate angle positions.

Performance and Hardware Specs

• Processor: Powered by Apple’s next-generation A20 chip (built on a 2nm process) and paired with Apple’s custom C-series cellular modem.

• Memory & Storage: Equipped with 12GB of RAM to handle heavy multitasking and Apple Intelligence on-device AI features.

• Battery: Features a split dual-battery design with a combined capacity of around 5,000–5,500 mAh—making it one of the largest battery systems ever put into an iPhone.

• Camera System: Expected to feature a premium multi-camera array engineered specifically for thin housings, utilizing advanced folded optics (periscope layout).

Pricing and Release Timeline

• Launch Window: Target release is September 2026 alongside the flagship iPhone 18 Pro lineup, though initial supply may be constrained.

• Price Point: Positioned as an ultra-premium flagship, pricing is expected to start between $2,000 and $2,500, placing it well above the Pro Max tier.
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MacDailyNews Take: Those who want to get their foldable iPhones before Christmas: Order in the first minute of pre-orders!

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