Is Apple too late to the foldable game, considering how many generations of other foldables have already hit the market?
Apple has been rumored to be working on a foldable iPhone for years, and although there is still no official word from the company, recent reports suggest it is on the way and not just as a standalone device. Some leaks even hint at a foldable iPad/MacBook hybrid joining the foldable iPhone.
With all the buzz, it seems likely that Apple will eventually launch a foldable smartphone. It might not be this year or even next, but 2026 seems to be a target date, according to the latest leaks. This raises the question: Is Apple too late to the foldable game, considering how many generations of other foldables have already hit the market?
But first, how does the foldable phone market look right now?
Some of the most recent entries in the foldable phone market are the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. | Image credit – PhoneArena
The global foldable smartphone market is expanding, with more companies jumping in. Right now, Samsung is leading the pack, closely followed by Huawei. Both, along with Motorola, have been rolling out foldable phones for years. Actually, the Android world has had folding smartphones for six years now. Brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo, and Honor are also getting in on the action.
According to Counterpoint Research, the foldable phone market saw a 49% year-over-year growth in the first quarter of 2024, marking its biggest jump in six quarters. Meanwhile, iPhone shipments dropped 13% in the same period. So, a folding iPhone could be just what Apple needs to turn things around and boost sales.
