- Apple reportedly revives folding iPhone effort.
- Launch set for 2026 after previous setbacks.
- High expectations for Apple to legitimize the foldable market.
An Apple foldable in 2026?
Years after Samsung pioneered the foldable phone category with the Galaxy Fold, Apple is apparently ready to throw its hat into the ring.
According to a recent report from The Information, Apple has revived development on a foldable iPhone after previous setbacks. The device could launch as soon as 2026.
While foldable phones have grown in popularity since their introduction, they still represent a tiny fraction of the overall smartphone market – just 48 million units by 2027, according to IDC projections.
That’s a drop in the bucket of the over 1 billion smartphones shipped annually. Currently, foldables are dominated by Samsung, which holds 60-70% of the market share.
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A bold new design to the foldable
But analysts believe Apple’s eventual entry into the space could be a watershed moment, legitimizing foldable in the eyes of many consumers.
Apple is said to be targeting a roughly 8-inch display for its folding iPhone, which would dwarf other clamshell-style foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
To pull off such an expansive display in a flipping form factor, Apple may need to make the foldable iPhone significantly wider than competitors when opened. The report compares the dimensions to an iPad Mini.
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Apple has been taking its time
By taking its time developing a foldable iPhone and learning from earlier missteps, Apple hopes to nail durability and tackle the issue of a visible crease in the display.
As with any new product category, Apple will aim to provide a best-in-class foldable that brings some unique innovation to the table.
If it succeeds, Apple could repeat the market success it has achieved with previous revolutionary products like the iPhone and Apple Watch. But we likely won’t know for at least two more years, as 2026 is reportedly the earliest consumers will get their hands on a folding iPhone.
