Apple Foldable iPhone Gears Up To Challenge Samsung: What You Need To Know

In a significant development in the foldable mobile phone market, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first-ever foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 series next year.

The foldable iPhone would represent Apple's most dramatic design transformation in smartphone history, marking their first venture into an entirely new device category since the original iPhone launch.

Samsung currently dominates the foldable market, but Apple's entry could reshape consumer preferences and accelerate mainstream adoption of folding technology.

Apple Set to Join the Foldable Market

After years of speculations, Apple seems poised to unveil its first foldable iPhone next year. Reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggest that this foldable model could be introduced alongside the iPhone 18 range.

The foldable iPhone models would represent the most significant design overhaul in Apple's smartphone history since the debut of the iPhone X. Additionally, it will mark Apple's entry into an entirely new category of smartphones, featuring a foldable design.

While nothing is set in stone yet, the rumour mill has been churning out all sorts of speculations surrounding the purported foldable iPhone. For instance, the word on the street is that the foldable iPhone will feature a massive 7.8-inch internal display, complemented by a 5.5-inch external screen.

The handset is expected to house a rear-mounted dual-lens camera setup and a single front shooter for selfies. For biometric authentication, the Tim Cook-led company is also likely to replace Face ID with a fingerprint scanner, which will serve as a power button. It is worth noting that the approach is usually found in Android foldables.

Foldable iPhone Release Date: Apple's Evolving Strategy

Gurman, known for his reliable Apple insights, reported on Sunday that Apple is set to enter the foldable phone market in the latter half of 2026. The company was an early entrant in each market, with products like the iPhone and Apple Watch, which helped define what the mainstream versions of those products would become.

However, with the foldable iPhone, it appears that Apple has taken a page from Samsung's playbook. Instead of creating a dramatically new interface or developing innovative hardware, they seem to be adopting elements that have proven successful for the South Korean smartphone giant.

According to Gurman, Apple's device will bear a striking resemblance to Samsung's well-received Galaxy Z Fold series. The foldable iPhone models, Gurman claims, could share many of the same components, including the foldable OLED screens.

However, Apple could refine aspects of Samsung's design, addressing common issues in foldable devices, such as the noticeable inner display crease and the internal hinge. The iPhone maker also plans to introduce new software features next year, specifically created for foldable phones.

Foldable iPhone Price: What to Expect?

Gurman reports that an Apple foldable phone will likely cost at least $2,000 (£1483.91), aligning with similar devices from Samsung and Google. For instance, Samsung's most recent Z Fold 7 model is priced at $1,999 (£1,483.16), while the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced at $1,799 (£1,334.77).

Early Success for Samsung's Latest Foldable

Sales of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 are reportedly higher than the previous model, according to Bloomberg, and it has garnered favourable reviews from tech publications. Windows Central hailed it as 'a winner,' while Mashable praised the phone's 'almost unbelievably sleek form factor.'

Samsung unveiled the phone earlier this month, and it is set to be available for purchase starting this Friday. Although Apple's foldable iPhone may resemble Samsung's, it could still capitalise on Apple's significant market presence.

Apple commands 57% of the US smartphone market as of the first quarter of this year, in contrast to Samsung's 25%, according to Counterpoint Research. However, Samsung has traditionally led the global foldable smartphone market, accounting for over 66% of the 15.9 million foldable phones sold in 2023, according to TrendForce.

Will Apple Make Foldables Mainstream?

Foldable phones remain a niche product, accounting for less than 2% of the total smartphone market, according to Counterpoint Research. However, Gurman suggests that Apple's entry into this category next year could propel it into the mainstream.

Apple now stands as the world's third most valuable company, boasting a market capitalisation of $3.2 trillion (£2.37 trillion). This strategic move signals Apple's commitment to innovation beyond traditional smartphone boundaries.