Landing of Apple in the foldable phone market It no longer seems like a mere distant possibility. Various market analyses and Prepares its first iPhone with a flexible screen for second half of 2026, in the midst of a segment where, until now, Android manufacturers have dominated.
This first model would clearly be geared towards the top-of-the-range on the marketWith a focus on productivity, multitasking, and content consumption, leaving aside purely aesthetic features. The discussion centers on... prices that could be above the $2.000This would place the device among the most expensive foldable phones in the world, also for those who buy it in Spain and the rest of Europe.
A book-style foldable iPhone by 2026
Forecasts from firms like Counterpoint Research place the debut of the first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026It features a book-style (fold) design that opens horizontally, similar in concept to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold. This approach reflects the current market trend, where book-style models have been gaining ground over clamshell designs.
According to these estimates, book-style foldables could to reach approximately 65% ​​of global shipments foldable phones are projected to account for a significant portion of the market by 2026, compared to just over half the market the previous year. The strategy is clear: larger, more useful screens for working, watching videos, or using multiple apps simultaneously, even though the price remains high and the devices continue to be targeted at a very specific audience.
In this scenario, Apple's arrival would act as a accelerator for the adoption of foldable devicesEspecially in regions like Europe, where the iPhone user base is high and tends to react strongly to major product lineup changes. This wouldn't just be another model, but a new category within the iOS ecosystem.
Rumors agree that this first foldable iPhone would be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro familyThis reinforces Apple's position in the ultra-premium market. The company is confident that it will differentiate its foldable model not only through its hardware, but also through deep integration with its services and other devices.
Large screen, focus on productivity, and filtered technical specifications
Beyond the launch window, much of the leaking focuses on the screen and hardware configuration of this foldable iPhone. Various sources in the Asian supply chain speak of a flexible inner screen of approximately 7,8 inches, slightly smaller than some Samsung or Google models, but designed to balance size and comfort.
This internal panel would be accompanied by a external screen close to 5,5 inchesDesigned for quick, everyday tasks: replying to messages, quick searches, music controls, or notifications. The idea is that the user doesn't have to constantly open their phone for simple actions, reserving the large screen for work, play, or watching serious content.
In terms of performance, the leaks point to a next-generation A20 processor, accompanied by a C2 modem for advanced connectivity and a bigger battery...presumably with improvements in 5G and energy efficiency. A system of dual camera on the back, geared towards both professional photography and video, taking advantage of the foldable format for new angles and ways of using it.
One of the curious details that has been mentioned is the presence of Touch ID integrated into the sideThis would be a good fit for a device that opens and closes, where the fingerprint reader's position is crucial. This method would coexist with facial recognition, adapted to the new design.
With this set, Apple would try to offer an experience similar to that of a pocket-sized mini iPadfocusing on multitasking, mobile work, and large-format video consumption without needing to carry two devices.
Samsung, a key supplier and direct rival
The launch of the first foldable iPhone cannot be understood without looking at Samsung, which plays a dual roleTechnology partner and main competitor. Today, the Korean company It is the sole supplier of foldable OLED panels that Apple would use in its new device, something that has led it to rethink its own production forecasts.
Recent rumors indicate that Samsung would be preparing for an increase in the manufacturing of flexible OLED displays Given the expectation of strong demand from Apple, and although the foldable iPhone is slated for release in 2026, both Apple and Samsung anticipate that sales of these types of devices will continue to grow, at least until 2027.
This confidence comes after the launch of Galaxy z fold 7Samsung's foldable sales took a significant leap. The company had been lowering its expectations in this segment for some time, but the latest generation managed to reverse the trend, to the point that the Fold models outperformed the Flip for the first time in some markets.
The public's reaction seems clear: when the product offers a real improvement over previous generationsUsers respond, even at very high price points. Samsung expects to see the same effect with the arrival of Apple's foldable iPhone, which could be priced above $2.000 and still register strong sales figures.
Meanwhile, the Korean firm is preparing its Galaxy z fold 8 And it has introduced new formats like the Galaxy Z TriFold, which sold out in a matter of minutes. This success serves as a barometer of the continued interest in the more daring proposals within the foldable segment.
Impact on the European market and battle for the premium segment
Apple's entry into foldable phones comes at a time when the company has already established itself as world leader in the smartphone market by valueWith a market share of nearly 20% and annual growth of around 10%, it's slightly ahead of Samsung. Europe, and especially countries like Spain, France, Germany, and Italy, are key markets where iPhone's presence in the high-end segment is very strong.
In this context, the foldable iPhone wouldn't just be an addition to the catalog, but a new battlefront in the ultra-premium rangewhere the average selling price is significantly higher. Each unit sold has a significant impact on revenue and margins, which explains manufacturers' interest in dominating this category, even though it currently remains a minority in terms of volume.
For the European market, already accustomed to seeing foldable phones from Samsung, Motorola, or Google, the arrival of a model with iOS could represent a turning point in the perception of the categoryMany users who until now viewed foldable phones as something experimental might start to consider them a real purchase option when there is an alternative integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
Analysts do not rule out that, despite arriving later, Apple may to capture a very significant portion of the segment's value In its first year in this field, it relied on its loyal user base and integration with services such as iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple TV+.
At the same time, Android manufacturers will continue to strengthen their offerings to avoid losing ground. Samsung itself is working on variants with wider formats, such as the so-called "Wide Fold," which would approach the dimensions attributed to the rumored foldable iPhone.
A possible second step: the clamshell-style foldable iPhone
While finalizing the details of its first book-like device, Apple is also reportedly considering a second foldable iPhone format with clamshell designThis is similar to what devices like the Galaxy Z Flip or the Motorola Razr represent today. This model wouldn't be part of the initial launch, but rather a possible later phase within the company's strategy.
The idea behind this design is to recapture the concept of a compact phone that folds verticallyDesigned to take up half the space in your pocket when closed, but offering a full screen when unfolded. Compared to the book-style model, which is more focused on productivity, this approach prioritizes mobility, style, and comfort.
For now, everything points to it being prototypes in internal testing phaseThese tests are used by Apple to evaluate the durability of the mechanism, the resistance of the flexible panel, manufacturing costs, and potential final prices. There are no guarantees that it will reach mass production, but the mere fact that it's being considered reflects that the company doesn't see the foldable phone as a standalone product, but rather as a potential product line.
If a clamshell iPhone is eventually released, it would likely be positioned differently than the flip model, possibly with a price slightly more reasonable and a less professional approach, more geared towards users looking for an eye-catching and easy-to-carry mobile phone.
In any case, all these pieces fit together into the same interpretation: Apple sees the foldable phone as a structural evolution of its catalogNot as a one-off experiment. If the timeline is confirmed, 2026 could mark the beginning of a new era in which the high-end iPhone range changes format and pushes the rest of the industry to make its move.
With everything that has been leaked so far, the outlook for 2026 is one of a much more mature foldable phone market, in which Apple would enter the market with a top-of-the-range, book-like model.Relying on Samsung panels, opting for an internal screen close to 7,8 inches, prices above $2.000 and a strategy that doesn't stop at a single device, but opens the door to future formats like the clamshell iPhone, with a special impact on the premium range in Europe and, of course, on the wallets of those who decide to make the leap.
