Apple is entering the foldable smartphone market with the upcoming iPhone Duo, set to launch on October 23, 2026. Although delayed in this category, forecasts suggest Apple could quickly become a leading manufacturer of foldable devices. TrendForce estimates the company may ship around five million units by the end of 2026, potentially capturing 24.8% of the foldable smartphone market for that year.
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Samsung is expected to continue leading in foldable shipments, with an anticipated 7.1 million devices sold, representing 35.1% of the market. Huawei is projected to reach approximately five million units, which positions Apple to contend for second place shortly after its entry.
The introduction of the iPhone Duo could also enhance the visibility of foldable phones among mainstream consumers. While foldables have been available for years, they have remained a small segment of the overall smartphone market. An influx of iPhone users transitioning to this new form factor through Apple's ecosystem could expand consumer interest significantly.
Additionally, Apple's extensive developer ecosystem may stimulate innovation in apps optimized for the iPhone Duo’s larger folding display, influencing overall category development, particularly in multitasking and AI functionalities.
TrendForce's report emerges at a time when the foldable market is experiencing challenges, with a projected total of about 20.2 million global shipments this year and a notable decline in non-Apple foldable shipments compared to 2025. This scenario presents a unique opportunity for Apple’s entry to not only gain market share from competitors but possibly prevent the overall foldable market from declining.
The success of the iPhone Duo will heavily depend on supply chain efficiency and consumer acceptance of its starting price of $1,999. However, Apple may not need to lead the foldable market immediately; simply attracting millions of existing iPhone users could be transformative for the category.