If Apple does plan on releasing a foldable iPhone in 2026, it could be perfect timing.
Foldable smartphones are still a niche segment in Europe, but their sales are growing rapidly, especially for book-type foldable, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. For Europe’s foldable smartphone market, 2024 was a pivotal year, notes the research group.
While still a relatively small segment – accounting for around 2% of the continent’s total smartphone sales – foldable smartphone sales increased 37% year-over-year (YoY) in 2024. The main driver here was the book-type form factor, for which sales increased 60% YoY. Nevertheless, book-type foldables still only account for less than 1% of the total market, with consumer concerns around price, durability and use cases.
However, Counterpoint says the competition is expected to intensify further in 2026 with the rumored entry of Apple into the foldable smartphone market. Apple is expected to introduce a book-type foldable in 2026, initially in its most important markets like North America, China, Japan and Western Europe, and then expanding into other regions during 2027-2028.
With a large, loyal and high-end user base, Counterpoint expects relatively fast adoption in Europe’s big ultra-premium markets like the UK and Germany, which will likely provide a shot in the arm for the European foldables market.
Apple will debut the foldable iPhone in September 2026 as part of the iPhone 18 line-up, according to JP Morgan. The bank says this year’s iPhone 17 upgrades won’t be very compelling, so Apple is banking on next year’s smartphone upgrades to spur sales. The “iPhone Fold” is expected to cost about US$2,000.
JP Morgan’s opinion lines up with previous rumors. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the “iPhone Fold” will have enough differentiating features from other foldable smartphones that it will dominate the market.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple is expected to adopt SDC’s (Samsung Display) crease-free display solution—rather than its own design—to ensure stable mass production of the foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026.
“The primary cause of creasing in foldable phone displays is stress concentration at the fold points during repeated bending, which leads to material fatigue and permanent deformation,” he writes. “A metal plate helps distribute and control bending stress, preventing the display material from exceeding its elastic limit and thereby minimizing the likelihood of creases. The metal plate must be highly integrated with the display design. Therefore, SDC’s crease-free solution for Apple includes a metal plate designed and manufactured by Fine M-Tec.”
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said that the “iPhone Fold” will offer two key advantages over other foldable smartphones
One: the “iPhone Fold” will have a “nearly invisible” crease when unfolded for an uninterrupted viewing experience. Two: much higher-quality hinge” compared to some other foldable smartphones.
As for other rumors about the iPhone Fold, it will feature two screens with different resolutions, according to Digital Chat Station. He/she says the inner display will be approximately 7.76 inches with a resolution of 2,713 x 1,920 resolution and feature “under-screen camera technology.” The outer display will purportedly be 5.49 inches with 2,088 x 1,422 resolution and will have a punch-hole camera.
On a final note, there are conflicting rumors about whether or not the iPhone Fold will have Face ID.
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