A new report published by TrendForce offers valuable insights into the performance of Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market, the iPhone Duo, in 2026. This device is expected to reach a 24.8% share of the foldable phone market by the end of the year.

Despite the general slowdown in the sector, it is claimed that Apple will reach 5 million units shipped with this new model. This also affects the overall outlook of the market, which is struggling due to rising component costs.

Market Expectations and Competition

According to TrendForce data, global foldable smartphone shipments are projected to reach approximately 20.2 million units in 2026. This figure indicates only 0.5% growth on an annual basis, showing a slowdown in the overall market.

Total shipments of Android brands other than Apple are expected to remain at 15.2 million units, a drop of more than 20% year-on-year. This data clearly reveals the pressure created by the sharp increase in component costs across the market.

Samsung is projected to maintain its leadership with 7.1 million units shipped and a 35.1% market share. Huawei is expected to reach 5 million units shipped and a 24.8% market share, similar to Apple.

Design Choices and Hardware Features

Apple appears to have made some hardware choices in the design of the iPhone Duo model. It is stated that the periscope telephoto camera choice was abandoned in order to minimize the thickness of the device and preserve internal space.

Instead, it offers a 48 MP main camera with 2x optical zoom. Additionally, it uses a side-mounted Touch ID sensor instead of Face ID.

These choices highlight the need for foldable smartphones to strike a balance between device thickness, camera capabilities, biometric components, and battery space. Apple’s compromise on hardware features to achieve this balance can be seen as a reflection of its design priorities.

Foldable Screens as the Interface of the Future

The report emphasizes that foldable screens could move beyond being a hardware differentiator and become a new interface in the future. In particular, deeper integration of AI applications and multitasking interfaces with these large screens could significantly increase the functionality of devices.

Apple’s strategic move has the potential to change the course of competition in the foldable phone market. Closely following these developments in the sector provides valuable insights into the future of portable technologies and how user habits will change.

What impact do you think Apple’s breakthrough in the foldable phone market will have on Android manufacturers?