Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Apple Foldable iPhone Expected to Revive Premium Smartphone Segment
Apple is expected to release its first foldable iPhone in September.
The phone would open like a book and become more like a small tablet.
It may cost about $2,500, making it much more expensive than many smartphones.
IDC, a research company, thinks more than 10 million people may buy it in its first year.
IDC believes Apple’s popularity could make foldable phones more popular.
Foldable shipments are expected to grow this year and next year.
The overall smartphone market, however, is expected to shrink sharply this year.
Higher prices for memory chips and other parts are making phones more expensive.
An IDC analyst said the time of cheap smartphones may be ending.
IDC predicts Apple will ship more than 10 million foldable iPhones in its first year.
The passport-style foldable is expected to debut in September at about $2,500.
IDC says Apple’s entry could help the foldable-phone market avoid a double-digit decline this year.
Foldable shipments are forecast to grow 12.6% this year and 18% next year.
IDC expects Apple to represent 40% of all foldable shipments by 2027.
- Who
- Apple, with forecasts from the International Data Corporation and comments from IDC analysts Nabila Popal and Francisco Jeronimo.
- What
- Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone, potentially shipping more than 10 million units in its first year.
- When
- The phone is expected to debut in September; IDC forecasts foldable-market growth this year and next year, with Apple reaching 40% of shipments by 2027.
- Where
- Not specified in the article.
- Why
- IDC says Apple could revive the niche foldable-phone market, while rising component costs are affecting the broader smartphone market.
- Expected first-year shipments
- More than 10 million foldable iPhones, according to IDC.
- Expected launch
- September.
- Expected price
- About $2,500.
- Foldable-market growth this year
- 12.6%, according to IDC.
- Foldable-market growth next year
- 18%, according to IDC.
- Apple’s projected 2027 share
- 40% of all foldable shipments.
- Overall smartphone-market forecast
- A 16.7% decline this year, according to IDC.