The global foldable smartphone market is set to grow by 20% in 2026 compared to the previous year, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes. This increase is partly attributed to Apple's entry into the category with its highly anticipated foldable iPhone, unofficially dubbed iPhone Ultra. The news comes as the broader smartphone market grapples with tighter supply of upstream logic chips and higher memory prices, but the foldable segment is expected to continue expanding regardless.
Apple enters the market with iPhone Ultra and 10 million units planned
According to leaks, Apple will unveil its first foldable iPhone in September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. The Cupertino giant has reportedly told suppliers to prepare to build around 10 million units this year. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the device may not be available for pre-order until the fourth quarter of 2026, a timeline that aligns with DigiTimes' forecast of that quarter as the key growth window for the category.
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Foldable maturity drives demand and device variety
Industry sources explained that wider foldable designs and Apple's move are giving the category a further boost. After nearly eight years of product development, the growing number of brands launching foldable devices and the broader range of choices for consumers have made foldables more mature, giving manufacturers added momentum to expand shipments. Samsung, which retains its lead in this segment, along with Apple and Huawei, is considered one of the main drivers of this growth.
Q4 2026 will be the crucial sales period
According to the report, Samsung's own experience shows that early preorder campaigns can generate strong launch-period sales, but the bigger growth phase is expected in the fourth quarter, once foldables from multiple brands are already on the market. This period is seen as a key opportunity to expand overall demand and accelerate shipment growth. DigiTimes added that most consumers already expect device prices to rise, so demand should hold up as long as increases remain reasonable.
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In this context, it is not surprising that the industry is witnessing innovations such as the high-performance memory chips recently unveiled by Samsung, like the zHBM for AI servers, which could support future foldable devices with advanced capabilities. Additionally, the growing focus on integrating AI features into foldables could be another driving factor. For those interested in the latest manufacturing processes, there is also the world's densest 3D NAND flash from Kioxia and Sandisk, which could improve storage in future smartphones.
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The projected 20% growth represents both a challenge and an opportunity for all industry players. As the industry prepares for a crucial fourth quarter, all eyes are on Apple and its ability to revolutionize a market that has so far been dominated by Samsung. According to some analysts, the success of iPhone Ultra will also depend on its integration with the Apple ecosystem, as seen with other successful products. The future of foldables looks bright, but only time will tell if expectations will be met.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/05/foldable-smartphone-sales-to-rise-this-year
