Apple Prepares for 2026 Foldable iPhone Launch, Challenging Samsung and Google

Tech giant Apple (AAPL) is reportedly gearing up to introduce its inaugural foldable iPhone, a move poised to intensify competition with established players Samsung (SSNLF) and Google (GOOGL). While Samsung has dominated the foldable market since 2019 and Google entered with the Pixel Fold in 2023, Apple’s entry is anticipated in the second half of 2026, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

Unlike its revolutionary past products, Apple is expected to build upon existing foldable designs, drawing inspiration from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. The foldable iPhone is projected to resemble Samsung’s models, potentially incorporating similar components like foldable OLED screens. However, Apple aims to refine the design by addressing common issues such as display creases and hinge mechanisms, alongside developing new software features tailored for foldable devices. Early estimates suggest a starting price around $2,000, aligning with high-end foldable offerings like Samsung’s Z Fold 7 and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Despite Samsung’s global lead in foldable sales (over 66% of 15.9 million units sold in 2023), Apple’s significant market presence, holding 57% of the U.S. smartphone market, could provide a crucial advantage. Industry observers like Gurman speculate that Apple’s entry could finally propel foldable phones into the mainstream, moving beyond their current niche of less than 2% of total smartphone sales.

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