In the context of the increasingly saturated smartphone market, Apple is expected to launch the first folding screen iPhone in 2026, which has undoubtedly sparked widespread attention and discussion in the technology community. Since Samsung Electronics released the world's first mass-produced folding screen mobile phone, the Galaxy Z Fold, in 2019, the folding screen mobile phone market has gradually matured, attracting many brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo. So, when Apple steps into this space, will you pay for it?
The rise and development of the folding screen mobile phone market
The rise of the folding screen mobile phone market marks a major change in the form of smartphones. Samsung, as a pioneer in the market, has launched five generations of foldable phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, which occupy a major share of the market. Not to be outdone, Huawei has launched a variety of products such as the Mate X, Mate Xs, Mate Xs2, Mate X2 and Mate X3, covering both inward and outward folding. In addition, Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo and other brands have also launched their own folding screen mobile phones, such as Xiaomi MIX Fold, OPPO Find N, vivo X Fold, etc., and the Motorola Razr series has occupied a place in the field of vertical folding screen mobile phones with its unique design.
Apple's foldable iPhone: innovation and challenges
Apple has always been known for its innovative spirit and extreme pursuit of product quality. The foldable iPhone, which is expected to be launched in 2026, will undoubtedly be a major innovation in Apple's product line. However, although the folding screen technology has a bright future, it also faces many technical challenges, such as the durability of the screen and the maturity of the hinge design. It is reported that Apple's folding screen iPhone is expected to be thinner and lighter than its competitors' models, and is committed to solving the crease problem. In addition, Apple has been exposed to a patent called "electronic device with a flexible display overlay", in which the screen is covered with a layer of material that "self-healing" to reduce creases and scratches.
Picture: Apple pushes the folding screen iPhone in 2026
User experience innovation and market expectations
Apple's foldable screen iPhone is expected to bring a new experience to users. A larger screen will provide a wider field of view and richer ways to interact, and Apple's deep accumulation in software ecosystem adaptation will ensure that users can enjoy a seamless and smooth experience when using the foldable screen iPhone. According to market research, the acceptance of folding screen mobile phones by female users and young people is gradually improving, with the proportion of female users increasing by 9% compared with 2022, while the proportion of young people aged 18-29 has reached 30.6%.
The launch of Apple's foldable iPhone may have the following impact on the existing smartphone market landscape:
1. Change in market leaders: Apple's addition could change the existing market leader position, especially in the high-end smartphone market.
2. Acceleration of technological innovation: Apple's entry may prompt other smartphone makers to accelerate their own pace of technological innovation in order to remain competitive.
3. Price competition: Apple's pricing strategy for the foldable iPhone may affect the pricing of other brands, triggering price competition in the market.
4. Diversification of consumer choices: Apple's foldable iPhone will provide consumers with more options and may appeal to those looking for new experiences and high-end products.
5. Expansion of the software ecosystem: Apple may push more developers to optimize their apps for foldable screen devices, thereby expanding the iOS software ecosystem.
6. Deepening of market segmentation: Apple's foldable iPhone is likely to further deepen the segmentation of the market, especially in the business, creative and professional and high-end consumer segments.
7. Impact of global supply chains: Apple's demand for mass production may have an impact on the global supply chain, driving supply chain optimization and upgrading.
Conclusion: The market prospect of folding screen iPhone
In the face of the upcoming folding screen iPhone in 2026, consumers' choice will depend on personal consumption preferences and how Apple translates this technology into a tangible user experience. With the maturity of technology and the expansion of the market, we have reason to believe that folding screen mobile phones will become an important direction for the development of smartphones in the future. ABI Research predicts that shipments of foldable phones will increase to about 68 million units by 2025, showing strong growth potential.
Apple's addition will undoubtedly inject new vitality into the folding screen mobile phone market. However, there are still many challenges to overcome in the development of this market, including technical difficulties, software adaptation issues, and price factors. For consumers, whether they are willing to pay for the folding screen iPhone will be a question worth pondering. In this change in the form of smartphones, we will wait and see whether Apple can lead the trend again.
