iPhone Fold Expected to Claim 22% of Foldable Market, 34% of Revenue in First Year

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to spur strong growth in worldwide foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, according to new estimates shared by IDC.

IDC believes the iPhone Fold will capture over 22 percent unit share and 34 percent of the foldables market value in its first year due to an expected $2,400 starting price point. Right now, the foldable market is dominated by Samsung and Google.

"The launch of Apple's first foldable iPhone will mark a turning point for the foldable segment," said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at IDC. "This move is likely to boost category awareness and drive consumer interest. Apple tends to be a catalyst for mainstream adoption of new categories. Although foldables will continue to be a niche segment from a volume perspective, it will become a relevant value driver for most vendors offering foldables, as average selling prices will be 3 times higher than a standard smartphone."

The overall foldable smartphone market is expected to grow 30 percent in 2026 thanks to Apple joining the market, with some growth also expected from Samsung's Galaxy Z Trifold launching in January 2026.

Rumors suggest Apple's first foldable iPhone will debut in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. The iPhone Fold is expected to feature book-like design that folds horizontally, opening out into a larger iPad mini-sized display.

The device will be around 5.5 inches in size when folded, but it will open up to around 7.8 inches. Apple has worked to eliminate the crease with a reinforced hinge, and it could be one of the first foldable devices with no visible crease.

Details on what to expect from Apple's foldable iPhone can be found in our iPhone Fold roundup.

Article Link: iPhone Fold Expected to Claim 22% of Foldable Market, 34% of Revenue in First Year

 

[turbineseaplane]

How it’s priced is going to matter a lot.

 

[jz0309]

Sure IDC, whatever you say ...

 

[actripxl]

I've been wanting an Apple fold phone forever, especially after the Fold 7 came out as it's a gorgeous phone. I manage a store for a carrier and this phone will sell, but for that price, there better be some really good promotions for me to jump on it and I get a discount on the services.

 

[jarman92]

I don’t recall another major Apple product I’ve cared this little about 🤔

 

[gleepskip]

Sure IDC, whatever you say ...

IDC is also an apt acronym for I Don't Care 😂

 

[jarman92]

I've been wanting an Apple fold phone forever, especially after the Fold 7 came out as it's a gorgeous phone. I manage a store for a carrier and this phone will sell, but for that price, there better be some really good promotions for me to jump on it and I get a discount on the services.

It’s the same price as every other flagship foldable?

 

[gleepskip]

I don’t recall another major Apple product I’ve cared this little about 🤔

AVP comes to mind. It's the same situation: interesting technology, but far too expensive.

 

[AgentOSX]

iPhone Fold Pro Max is available now. It is called the MacBook Air.

 

[JPack]

Pricing is the main barrier. Most people want a bigger display for a better smartphone experience.

As volumes pick up, pricing will come down.

 

[AgentOSX]

How it’s priced is going to matter a lot.

True. And the foldable from other companies are really expensive and have a very high replacement/failure rate.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

I can’t wait to get mine. I’ll probably do 5 upgrades. I’ll bet the Carriers will be giving them away for free to get you to switch. This is their big opportunity

 

[contacos]

And I am sure it will start at 256 GB while all the others usually give you a great 512 GB deal on preorders.

It needs Pro cameras to really stand out from the others if you ask me. I love my Oppo Find N5 and Galaxy Fold 7 but the cameras are crap in low light. Concerts? Forget it completely

 

[jz0309]

As volumes pick up, pricing will come down.

You think? In what timeframe? Has any smartphone model ever got cheaper?

 

[SoldOnApple]

This wouldn't be the first time iOS has adapted to novel aspect ratios, the OS quite adaptable to that kind of thing now.

 

[jz0309]

And I am sure it will start at 256 GB while all the others usually give you a great 512 GB deal on preorders.

It needs Pro cameras to really stand out from the others if you ask me. I love my Oppo Find N5 and Galaxy Fold 7 but the cameras are crap in low light. Concerts? Forget it completely

I went from 512 to 255 with my 17PM, for some that is enough

 

[Baseiseough]

Stop calling it the fold. We all know it will be called the iPhone Book pro and iPhone Book pro Max! 🤪

 

[ph001bi]

IDC has zero credibility. They were the outfit who told us that WindowsPhone would be the second mobile operating system by 2015. Complete and utter guesswork.

 

[jayducharme]

I’d rather spend that kind of money on a new Mac Studio.

 

[MacKid]

How it’s priced is going to matter a lot.

Functionality will matter more, imo, if we can point to the Air as a recent example. Cheaper than the Pro, but nobody wants it because it has a nerfed battery and the worst camera Apple has shipped in years.

If the Fold is also The Longest Lasting iPhone Ever™ (and we think you're going to love it), then it has a real chance. If it's merely up to par on battery life and has just one crappy camera, that might hurt sales more than a $2499 starting price. There are a lot of Porsche and Range Rover types out there who would love to have the big flex if it's not a situation where 'everybody knows' it's actually a weak phone with bad battery life.

Still hoping for $1999 if only to avoid the gasps-from-the-crowd memes à la Studio Display Stand and Mac Pro wheels

 

[rappr]

Functionality will matter more, imo, if we can point to the Air as a recent example. Cheaper than the Pro, but nobody wants it because it has a nerfed battery and the worst camera Apple has shipped in years.

If the Fold is also The Longest Lasting iPhone Ever™ (and we think you're going to love it), then it has a real chance. If it's merely up to par on battery life and has just one crappy camera, that might hurt sales more than a $2499 starting price. There are a lot of Porsche and Range Rover types out there who would love to have the big flex if it's not a situation where 'everybody knows' it's actually a weak phone with bad battery life.

Still hoping for $1999 if only to avoid the gasps-from-the-crowd memes à la Studio Display Stand and Mac Pro wheels

Sorry to inform you, but the iPhone Air battery life is actually quite good.

 

[zenmacx]

How it’s priced is going to matter a lot.

Yes indeed.

The greater challenge beyond the task of designing and manufacturing a world class foldable, will be how to price it.

With decades as a class leader in marketing sales, as well as possessing an admirable reputation as a leader in profitability, Apples success in this space hangs on public acceptance of the price they choose to charge for this new model.

 

[gleepskip]

Still hoping for $1999 if only to avoid the gasps-from-the-crowd memes à la Studio Display Stand and Mac Pro wheels

$1999 is a gasp-worthy price for a phone.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Pricing is the main barrier. Most people want a bigger display for a better smartphone experience.

As volumes pick up, pricing will come down.

I agree that "As volumes pick up, pricing will come down." But I do not the Fold will be about "Most people want a bigger display for a better smartphone experience." IMO the iPhone Pro Max serves that space well.

IMO the iPhone Fold will primarily service those folks who want an iPad Mini that fits in their pocket, while also having an iPhone included. That would mean me, except that the iPhone Pro cameras have me spoiled.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

Now we just need to wait a while for the second part of this article. “The iPhone fold is a failure because it didn’t meet analysts expectations!!!”