Apple is again on the verge of a major change in the smartphone market.This time, it will play its trump card with the foldable iPhone, which is expected to be released in the second half of 2026. Leaks about a Galaxy Z Flip-like device have been on the agenda for a while. However, the company is reportedly working on a horizontally foldable iPhone.
The first iPhone will be horizontally foldable
Display industry analyst Ross Young said that Apple’s first foldable phone could fold similarly to the Galaxy Z Fold series. This strategic change is important given the growing popularity of the foldable market.
Apple’s entry into this market comes at a critical time for the foldable phone sector, which is experiencing a slowdown in 2023 and 2024. Analysts believe that Apple’s entry into the foldable phone market will breathe new life into the industry and attract new users.
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A foldable iPhone with a larger screen than current models could allow Apple to showcase design and software optimization. This could lead to a smoother experience compared to current products.
However, the high pricing of the device could push Android manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, OnePlus and Huawei to the forefront of the foldable phone market. High prices remain the biggest barrier to widespread market penetration.
Analysts estimate that Apple’s entry into the market will boost the growth of the foldable phone market by 30 percent, followed by sustained annual growth of 20 percent. The 2026 launch could redefine the foldable phone category.
