{
  "id": 6165121,
  "title": "Matt Birchler’s Folding iPhone Predictions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/matt-birchlers-folding-iphone-predictions",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-07T19:59:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daring Fireball",
    "slug": "daring-fireball",
    "url": "https://birchtree.me/blog/my-folding-iphone-predictions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tech analyst Matt Birchler predicts that Apple's folding iPhone will initially struggle to match sales of more traditional models like the 18 Pro and the Air 2. He believes the folding iPhone won't become the best-selling iPhone, but still expects it to grow in popularity over its first few years. Birchler's reasoning stems from the rising market share of folding phones in the Android market and his own hands-on experience with a device similar to the rumored iPhone folding design. However, he questions the widely-cited 2% market share claim for foldables, suspecting the figure is inflated based on his personal observations. Birchler suggests naming options for the folding iPhone, preferring \"Ultra\" but not ruling out \"Duo\" as a possibility.",
  "summary": "Matt Birchler: So, yeah, I do think that, especially this year, unit sales will far lag behind the 18 Pro models, the normal iPhone 18, and probably the Air 2 and 18e. I think they will lag next year as well for similar reasons. I don’t know if this will ever become the most popular iPhone, but I do not think it will fail, and I think it will sell more units every year for it’s first few years on…",
  "key_points": [
    "Matt Birchler predicts initial struggle for folding iPhone sales.",
    "Believes folding iPhone will grow in popularity over first few years.",
    "Suggests naming options Ultra or Duo for the folding iPhone."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}