Apple is preparing to unveil its first foldable iPhone, betting that the device can turn foldable smartphones into a mainstream product much as the original iPhone helped popularise touchscreen technology in 2007.
Foldable phones have remained a small part of the global smartphone market despite years of development by Samsung, Huawei and other Chinese manufacturers. High prices, weaker cameras, shorter battery life and visible screen creases have limited their appeal.
Apple’s entry is expected to benefit from advances that have made foldable screens more durable and reduced the crease problem. Samsung’s latest Fold 8, for example, has significantly improved its screen design after years of investment.
The technology has evolved rapidly since Royole introduced the FlexPai in 2018. Samsung followed with the Galaxy Fold in 2019, while Motorola, Huawei and Google later introduced different designs, including clamshell and outward folding models.
Huawei introduced the first tri fold smartphone in 2024, while Samsung launched its own multi folding device in 2025.
Samsung currently holds about 40% of the global foldable market, followed by Huawei with roughly 30%, according to Counterpoint. Analysts expect Apple’s entry to accelerate growth, with IDC forecasting foldable shipments to rise nearly 30% in 2026.
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