Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow 20% in 2026 compared to last year, with Apple’s first entry into the category cited as one of the primary drivers, according to DigiTimes. This is despite the expensive price tag that is expected to accompany the launch of iPhone Ultra.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 is currently shipping with delays after demand came in at roughly three times the level of the Fold 7, a suggest that the category has moved into genuine mainstream territory just weeks before Apple is expected to announce its own competing device.
Apple’s anticipated pricing is already pulling the broader market upward. The average selling price of foldable smartphones is expected to reach $1,485 in 2026, up 18% from 2025, with book-type foldables continuing to rise while clamshell models fall. The shipment share of devices priced between $1,600 and $2,000 is expected to nearly double, from 30% of the market in 2025 to 58% in 2026. The shift in the foldable display panel mix toward book-style designs is one structural reason for that pricing shift. IDC estimated in December 2025 that the iPhone Fold would carry a starting price above $2,400, with more recent supply chain reports citing $2,500 or higher. DigiTimes notes that most consumers already expect device prices to rise, so demand should hold as long as increases stay within a reasonable range.
Apple has reportedly told suppliers to prepare for approximately 10 million units this year, a target that reflects substantial first-year confidence given the device entered mass production in early July 2026. The foldable is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September, though supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested pre-orders may not open until the fourth quarter, pointing to a likely November or December availability window. That timeline aligns with DigiTimes flagging Q4 as the single most important sales period for the foldable category this year.
Samsung is expected to retain the top position in global foldable shipments, though its share is forecast to fall from 40% in 2025 to 32% in 2026 as Apple enters at an estimated 25% share. Huawei is projected to hold 24%, down from 30% last year. The Fold 8’s current supply shortages could limit Samsung’s ability to defend that share in Q4, precisely when the iPhone foldable is expected to reach shelves.
On form factor, book-style foldables are expected to cement their dominance in 2026, with multi-fold panels holding only low single-digit market share. Samsung Display stands to benefit from that shift, with its panel share forecast to climb above 50%. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the rumored iPhone Ultra share nearly identical dimensions: 5.5 inches closed and 7.6 inches open, putting both devices in direct competition for the same use case and the same buyer.
