Foldable Phone Shipments to Grow 30% in 2026 as Apple Nears Category Entry
Updated
Updated · thezeronet.com · Sep 5
Foldable Phone Shipments to Grow 30% in 2026 as Apple Nears Category Entry
3 articles · Updated · thezeronet.com · Sep 5
Summary
IDC forecasts worldwide foldable smartphone shipments will rise 30% in 2026, a sharp upgrade from the 6% growth it projected just months earlier.
20.6 million foldables shipped in 2025, and IDC ties the faster 2026 outlook to Apple's expected foldable iPhone launch, Samsung's new Galaxy Z TriFold and Huawei's continued momentum.
Prices still span roughly $800 for flip models to $2,899 for tri-fold devices, with book-style foldables near $2,000, limiting mass adoption even as hardware improves.
Foldables have outpaced the broader smartphone market's low-single-digit growth, suggesting Apple's arrival could push the category beyond enthusiasts and into the mainstream in 2026.