Apple Enters Foldable Phone Market, Challenging Samsung
Apple is set to unveil its first foldable iPhone on Sept. 9, entering a market dominated by Samsung Electronics. With the broader smartphone market facing a sharp downturn, Apple is targeting the growing foldable segment as it seeks to protect its margins.Apple said it will hold a special event at A
Apple is poised to make its debut in the foldable phone market with a new device set to be unveiled on September 9, according to recent reports. The move comes as the broader smartphone industry faces a decline, and Apple seeks to safeguard its profit margins by tapping into the expanding foldable segment. Apple will host a special event at its Cupertino, California headquarters to unveil the device, which is likely to be codenamed "iPhone Ultra," alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series.
This isn't Apple's first foray into foldable technology - seven years ago, Samsung introduced the first Galaxy Fold in 2019. The new iPhone is expected to feature a unique "book-style" design that opens horizontally. It will reportedly boast a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner screen, providing a viewing experience akin to an iPad mini when unfolded.
Apple is also working on minimizing the crease that has been a persistent issue with foldable phones and developing a software interface tailored for the larger display.
However, the price point could pose a significant challenge. Analysts estimate that the first foldable iPhone could start at around $2,008, which is roughly $500 more than Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 in South Korea. Higher-capacity models could cost up to $4,160. Even so, market researchers project that Apple could sell more than 10 million foldable iPhones in its first year, capturing 40% of the market by the following year.
The introduction of Apple's foldable phone could have a significant impact, especially as the overall smartphone market is expected to see a 13.9% decline this year. Despite this overall downturn, the OLED market for foldable phones is projected to grow to 25.03 million units, making it the only segment currently experiencing growth.
Samsung is expected to defend its market share with the Galaxy S26 FE, a midrange model set to launch on September 4 in South Korea. The company aims to maintain its competitive edge by offering AI features and camera performance similar to its premium models.
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