According to research firm IDC, Apple’s anticipated first foldable iPhone is projected to ship more than 10 million units in its first year on the market. Set to launch at a September event, the passport-style device is expected to carry a steep price tag of roughly $2,500, targeting an elite tier of consumers who will line up to buy it, as reported by Bloomberg based on statements from IDC senior research director Nabila Popal.
IDC Shipment Projections and Market Share Forecasts for Apple Foldables
Market analysts hold a bullish outlook for Apple’s entry into the book-style foldable smartphone category. IDC senior research director Nabila Popal stated that she expects the passport-style device to be widely successful despite its high price, noting that a very elite set of consumers are being targeted, according to Bloomberg reporting. Counterpoint Research projects that book-type devices will account for 76% of global foldable shipments in 2026, rising from 52% in 2025. Furthermore, Counterpoint forecasts that Apple will capture 25% of foldable shipments in 2026 alone.
Looking further ahead, IDC predicts that Apple will eventually account for 40% of all foldable shipments by 2027. While Samsung has dominated the category for seven years, its market share is projected to slide from 40% in 2025 to 32% in 2026, according to Counterpoint Research data cited by Bloomberg.
Broader Smartphone Market Decline and Component Cost Pressures
Apple’s upcoming launch arrives during a broader downturn for the mobile industry. IDC has revised its forecast for the entire smartphone market to a record 16.7% decline this year, driven by acute memory shortages that pass component costs directly onto shelf prices, according to IDC’s Francisco Jeronimo. Jeronimo noted that the components required to power artificial intelligence features are the same ones currently in short supply, signaling that the era of the cheap smartphone has ended.
Despite this wider market contraction, high-end foldable devices remain a profitable segment. IDC notes that Apple’s arrival in the category will help avert a double-digit percentage decline for foldables this year, expanding the market by 12.6% this year and accelerating to an 18% increase next year.
Pricing and Hardware Comparisons With Samsung Competitors
The reported $2,500 price tag for Apple’s foldable device places it well above existing market alternatives. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, while its Z Fold8 Ultra starts at $2,099 in the United States, according to Bloomberg. Both Samsung and Apple utilize passport-style aspect ratios for their book-style foldable devices, which convert from standard smartphones into tablet-sized screens when opened.
Did you know? IDC’s estimate of more than 10 million shipments spans the foldable iPhone’s full first year of availability, differentiating it from calendar-year forecasts provided by other research firms.
Regulatory Scrutiny and EU Energy Labeling Requirements
In the European Union, Apple’s high-end foldable device will face strict regulatory oversight. Since June 2025, every smartphone sold in the EU must display an energy label grading its repairability class, battery endurance figure, and survival rating for repeated free falls. Under European Regulation 2023/1670, folding phones are subject to these rules—requiring an 800-cycle battery minimum and seven years of spare parts availability—while rollable displays are exempt.
Apple’s recent hardware scores place it mid-table under these guidelines, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max rated class C for repairability and class B for free fall durability across 180 drops. By comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 achieved a class A rating on free fall, demonstrating how regulatory scoring grades physical durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Apple expected to announce the foldable iPhone?
Apple is widely expected to announce its first foldable iPhone in September at a company event, according to Bloomberg.
What is the expected price of the foldable iPhone?
Industry researchers at IDC project the passport-style foldable device will carry a retail price of approximately $2,500, as reported by Bloomberg.
How many units does IDC expect Apple to ship in the first year?
According to IDC senior research director Nabila Popal, Apple is expected to deliver more than 10 million shipments during the device’s first year of availability.
How will EU regulations affect the foldable iPhone?
Under EU rules introduced in June 2025, the device must display an energy label detailing its repairability class, battery endurance, and drop-survival rating.
Want to stay updated on the latest mobile industry trends and shipment forecasts? Subscribe to our newsletter or leave a comment below to share your thoughts on Apple’s entry into the foldable market.
Worth a look