Bloomberg News reporter Mark Gurman once againRefers toApple will launch in 2026The first foldable iPhoneAlthough it entered the market relatively late compared to Samsung and several Chinese brands, Apple still has a chance to make a comeback in the existing foldable phone market by following its previous product strategy of "not being the first, but being the best", especially in China, a key market where Apple's growth has slowed in recent years.
Apple is not the first, but it often becomes the industry standard
Apple is not the first to create every product category, but it always redefines the market. For example, there were already smartphones on the market before the iPhone, but Apple reshaped the design standards of mobile phone products with multi-touch, large screens and simple design. The subsequent iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods also follow the same format. Even though the performance of Vision Pro was polarized after its launch, its new operating interface and display quality left a deep impression on many people.
But the foldable phone market that Apple is rumored to enter next is different. Samsung has been deeply involved in this market for more than 7 years. At the same time, many Chinese brands have also entered this market to compete. Apple's foldable iPhone model may be similar to Samsung's.Galaxy Z Fold seriesSimilarly, the foldable display panel is rumored to be supplied exclusively by Samsung Display, with mass production set to begin as early as the end of 2025 and a launch schedule in the second half of 2026.
Overall, Apple's folding design iPhone may not adopt obvious innovative technology, but it may choose to enter the market with a proactive attitude and reap the rewards when the market is ready.
Folding iPhone targets China, regaining lost ground
Market analysts believe that the Chinese market may be the key to the success of Apple's foldable iPhone. Because brands such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, and vivo have already launched foldable phones, Chinese consumers are generally more receptive to foldable phone products. Therefore, Apple will have the opportunity to use its brand influence and the topic of foldable iPhone to regain the market share it has previously lost.
For many loyal iPhone users, the folding design is very attractive, but they are unwilling to switch to the Android camp for this reason. Therefore, under this potential demand, Apple will have the opportunity to regain the Chinese market. Even if the price of Apple's folding iPhone is estimated to be more than US$2000, it still has the opportunity to quickly gain a firm foothold in the market with the advantages of brand effect and integrated ecosystem.
Apple will optimize the user experience with both hardware and software
Although Apple is not as radical as before in hardware innovation, it still plans to improve the common problems of current foldable phones, such as reducing screen creases and improving hinge design. In terms of software, iOS 27 is expected to make in-depth adjustments to the foldable screen experience, including multitasking, dynamic display and UI adjustments, striving to provide a foldable experience that is different from the Android camp.
The release date is still unclear, but 2026 is the most likely date
Although there are many predictions about the release date of the foldable iPhone, it has never been finalized. From the earliest 2022, it has been postponed all the way to the end of 2026 to the beginning of 2027.Ready to produce panels for Apple, which means that the timing of this speculation will be more credible than past rumors.
