Foldable iPhone could drive 20% growth in foldable smartphone sales

Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow 20% year over year in 2026, with Apple's first foldable iPhone seen as one of the biggest drivers of demand, MacRumors reports, citing DigiTimes.

The market is expected to expand despite ongoing memory shortages and rising component costs affecting the smartphone industry.

• Samsung is expected to retain its lead in the foldable segment, while Apple, Huawei and other manufacturers are expected to drive broader adoption of foldable devices.
• Analysts attribute growing interest in the category to larger foldable form factors, a wider range of models and greater choice for consumers.
• After nearly eight years on the market, manufacturers have significantly improved foldable smartphone designs and gained extensive experience in developing them.
• As a result, brands are able to scale production more aggressively, while foldable devices are increasingly being viewed as mainstream products rather than experimental ones.

The fourth quarter of 2026 is expected to be the most important period for the market, with several major manufacturers preparing to launch new foldable devices.

Industry sources believe moderate price increases are unlikely to significantly affect demand, as consumers have already come to expect more expensive electronics.

According to analyst  Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's first foldable iPhone could follow a launch strategy similar to the iPhone X, with the device unveiled alongside the regular iPhone lineup before pre-orders open several weeks later.