If, as rumored, Apple releases a foldable iPhone in 2026, the product apparently can’t come too soon.
Global foldable smartphone shipments surged 45% year-over-year (YoY) in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, marking a significant recovery, helped by continued strength in China and a surging US market, according to Counterpoint Research.
Commenting on the US market, which has been primarily driven by pricing, Senior Analyst Maurice Klaehne said, “Motorola has helped stoke the US foldables market, raising segment shipments to the highest levels ever for a Q2. At a retail price of $699 for the base model, pricing has been a big success factor for Motorola’s Razr series, which has had the luxury of being the lowest-cost foldable phone in the US – nobody has yet come close.”
Counterpoint Senior Analyst Jene Park said 2024 was a transitional year for foldables with the research group is expecting annual growth to revert to double-digit percentages over the medium term, especially with the expected launch of Apple’s foldable next year.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and many other pundits expect Apple to release an “iPhone Fold” in 2026. Kuo says Apple recently revised its shipment forecasts for the foldable iPhone upward to 8–10 million units in 2026 and 20–25 million in 2027 (vs. previous estimate of 6–8 million and 10–15 million, respectively).
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