In a significant shift in the smartphone landscape, Apple is expected to make substantial inroads into the folding phone market by 2026. Following the recent announcement of the iPhone Duo, industry research firm TrendForce has revealed insights into the evolving market dynamics for foldable devices. With projections indicating Apple will ship a substantial number of folding phones, the tech titan is primed to capture nearly a quarter of the market share.
According to TrendForce’s latest report, Apple is on track to ship around 5 million units of its innovative folding phone by the end of 2026. This milestone would grant Apple a commanding 24.8% share of the global folding phone market, positioning the company in a strong second place, just behind the current leader, Samsung. Overall, the report forecasts a rise in global folding phone shipments, estimating around 20.2 million units will be sold in 2026, reflecting a modest increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year.
Looking ahead, the growth trajectory for folding phones appears favorable, with shipments projected to reach 23.5 million units by 2027. TrendForce anticipates that Samsung will ship around 7.1 million folding phones, garnering a substantial 35% market share. Meanwhile, Huawei is also expected to bolster its presence in this segment, targeting 5 million shipments, which would similarly yield a 24.8% share of the market. The report attributes this upward trend in foldable phone adoption to numerous hardware enhancements and the growing integration of AI applications, which are appealing to a tech-savvy consumer base.
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