Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Could Reinvigorate Stalling Market

The foldable smartphone market has stalled with customer interest in foldables waning, but that could change when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, according to display analyst Ross Young.

Flip iPhone Thumb 1
In a report on the current foldable smartphone market, Young says that Apple is expected to "enter the foldable market" in the second half of 2026. Apple's "dominant position in flagship smartphones" could potentially lead to significant growth for the foldable market in 2026, ultimately leading to a record year for foldables.

Young expects more than 30 percent growth in the foldable market in 2026, followed by continued 20 percent growth in 2027 and 2028.

There have long been rumors suggesting that Apple is developing a foldable iPhone, and some analysts believe that Apple will finally debut a foldable iPhone around September of 2026.

The first foldable ‌iPhone‌ could be between 7.9 and 8.3 inches in size, and it may have a "clamshell" design like Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip. A clamshell ‌iPhone‌ would fold in half vertically rather than horizontally, allowing for a full-size ‌iPhone‌ when unfolded, and a smaller, pocketable device when folded.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...

Top Rated Comments

TheWraith Avatar
16 months ago
This will not work. There is no new market—it's saturated.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UltimateSyn Avatar
16 months ago
I wish they would adopt the ‘fold’ form factor instead of the ‘flip’. A vertical fold has the advantage of giving you a massive screen when it’s unfolded, but the flip just…. Is shorter when it’s folded.. I don’t see a lot of advantages with the latter.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tweaknmod Avatar
16 months ago

My gosh, can the MR design team not come up with anything more creative than that hideous rendering of a current design iPhone broken in half? They have used it a few times in the past now, and it gets more cringe with each posting.
* If you’re going to criticize someone’s work, maybe try offering constructive criticism - or even suggest an alternative.
* In my mind, you don’t get to criticize someone’s creativity unless you are actively putting something out there yourself. Where’re your creative works for the world to ridicule as you have here?
* These websites are operating under increasingly tight budgets and resources, so a writer might have to learn the basics of graphic design. If you want to keep this type of content free, then I suggest you give them a break.

The fact that flippant, condescending, or otherwise rude comments online are the norm - and even celebrated with ‘likes’ -does not make them acceptable, if you ask me. I refuse to stop calling them out when I see them.

There are people behind these articles and graphics. Try being nice - even online.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechnoMonk Avatar
16 months ago
Young in 2026: “ Apple postponed the foldable iPhone plans coz **Insert some random Reason**. Heads Young wins, Tails Apple losses. That is Apple rumors/Analyst 101.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
raythompsontn Avatar
16 months ago

my 13PM will have to last another 22 months
You don't have to wait. You can fold your 13PM now. Downside, only once, and working is questionable.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FattiesGoneWild Avatar
16 months ago
It will bomb just as bad as the Apple Vision Pro, maybe even worse. Very niche for people that want it and it’s far from the masses.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)