The best foldable phones have been dominated by Samsung and other Android phone makers. However, the iPhone Fold could completely change the foldable phone landscape when it reportedly launches in 2026.
The analyst firm IDC recently released a report looking at the potential impact of Apple’s first foldable. According to the report, the iPhone Fold is expected to capture 22 percent of unit share and a whopping 34 percent of the foldables market value in the first year of its release, thanks in part to the rumored $2,400 price point.
(Image credit: IDC)
IDC also predicts that Apple will grow to 34% of the market share by 2029.
You may like
“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.”
While Jeronimo says that foldables will continue to be a niche segment, smartphone makers can’t ignore that “average selling prices will be 3 times higher than a standard smartphone.”
(Image credit: IDC)
2026 should also see the launch of the Galaxy Z TriFold and Galaxy Z Fold 8, as well as new foldables from Huawei. IDC says the overall foldables market will grow 29.7% in 2026, thanks in large part to Apple’s entry. By 2029, that rate is predicted to slow to 9.3%, but that would still outpace the overall smartphone market at 1.1%.
What do we know about the iPhone Fold?
(Image credit: ConceptsiPhone / YouTube)
We’ve seen a lot of iPhone Fold rumors already, and they paint a pretty promising picture so far.
For instance, the inner display for the iPhone Fold is rumored to measure 7.8 inches, while the outer screen will be 5.5 inches. Unfortunately, that is smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7‘s 8-inch inner display, but Apple could have a trick up its sleeve. According to some sources, the iPhone Fold could have a screen with little to no crease.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has doubled down on this addition, while also stating that Apple is focusing on making sure the iPhone Fold’s displays are of the highest possible quality. We’ve also heard that the iPhone Fold could feature a surprisingly large battery, ranging between 5,000 to 5,500 mAh. The Z Fold 7 has a 4,400 mAh battery.
As IDC notes, people are keeping their phones for longer, which in turn makes things difficult for vendors. As such, the innovation brought by foldable phones, including triple foldable screens, is critical to help drive interest.
One of the most pressing questions is whether Apple fans will be willing to pay upwards of $2,400 to own an iPhone Fold. That’s $400 more than Samsung’s current flagship foldable and $600 more than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Let us know in the comments if you would buy an iPhone Fold and what you’d need to see to justify the rumored price.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
Today’s best Apple iPhone 17 deals