A foldable device from Apple could be a major game changer for the industry. This idea has sparked a lot of discussions online for a long time, more so in the past year. While it is just a rumor for now, it may very well become a reality soon.
Ross Young, a well-known industry analyst, shared his thoughts regarding the foldable smartphone industry a couple of days ago. In his analysis, he claims that Apple will release a folding device in 2026. He also emphasizes that the market for foldables has seen a decline recently. And according to him, Apple’s entry into the industry could very possibly change that.
Apple’s foldable could diversify the market
While many mainstream brands offer folding smartphones, the market is mainly dominated by just two — Samsung and Huawei. Even then, the demand for these devices primarily comes from a select few markets.
Apple’s offering could open a door of opportunities for the foldable industry, especially in the US, because of the tech giant’s existing stronghold in the region. Even minimal improvements could appeal to potential new customers. In Young’s words, “Any improvement in form factor, functionality, use cases, durability, etc., Could drive new demand for this market.”
Young further predicts over 30% growth for the foldable smartphone market in 2026 and over 20% on top of that for 2027 and 2028. He also briefly mentions that at least one brand will adopt a tri-fold in 2026.
This aligns with reports of Samsung planning to expand its foldable portfolio soon. In light of recent news, on top of this particular one, we can confidently say that the foldable smartphone industry has bright days ahead.
