Global competition for foldable technology leadership intensifies
Apple’s announcement of its first-ever foldable iPhone launch this year has sent ripples through the global foldable phone market. Industry experts anticipate that Apple’s entry will catalyze the mainstream adoption of foldable phones, ramping up the technological rivalry with the current market leader, Samsung Electronics.
According to industry sources on Wednesday, Samsung Electronics showcased a new foldable panel at CES that dramatically improves the creasing issue at the fold. Developed by Samsung Display, the new panel boasts a crease depth reduction of about 20% compared to the 2025 model. Unlike the visible creases on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, this new panel’s improvements make the creases nearly imperceptible to the naked eye. It is highly likely that this panel will be incorporated into the next-generation foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, slated for release in the latter half of this year.
Apple is also prioritizing crease reduction for its upcoming Foldable iPhone (tentative name), set to be released in the second half of the year. Reports suggest Apple is experimenting with ultra-thin foldable glass (UFG) of varying thickness to minimize the central screen crease.
Weight is another key priority for Apple. Tech leaker Jon Prosser’s concept image suggests the foldable iPhone will feature a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal panel when unfolded. The device is expected to measure 9 mm thick when folded and 4.5 mm when open, surpassing even the slimmest iPhone to date, the iPhone Air (5.6 mm), in thinness. However, it may still be slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, which measures 8.9 mm folded and 4.2 mm unfolded. The camera setup is anticipated to include four cameras: two rear, one on the cover display, and one on the internal screen.
Apple’s Entry to accelerate Mass Adoption
Apple’s strategy to accelerate mainstream adoption of foldable phones involves initially limiting production while offering competitive pricing to lower consumer entry barriers. This approach mirrors Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Tri-Fold sales strategy, focusing on stable market integration. Sources indicate Apple is targeting a price point of around 2,000 USD for the foldable iPhone, comparable to the U.S. launch price of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (1,999 USD). After gauging market response this year, Apple is expected to significantly increase shipments starting in the first half of next year.
With Apple’s entry this year, the pace of foldable phone adoption is set to accelerate dramatically. IDC has revised its forecast for global foldable phone shipments to 26.78 million units in 2026, a 30% increase from the previous year. This projection marks a substantial upward revision from the earlier estimate of 6% growth.
