Report: iPhone Duo could give Apple a 25% share of foldable market in 2026

Apple is preparing to enter the foldable device sector with a new product identified as the iPhone Duo. According to reports from TrendForce and TradingView, this first foldable offering from Apple is expected to capture nearly 25% of the foldable smartphone market in 2026. TradingView specifically notes that this market share could be achieved through the shipment of 5 million units. The arrival of this hardware is expected to drive significant upgrades across the associated supply chain to meet the requirements of Apple's first foldable device. Multiple industry outlets are tracking these developments, including 9to5Mac, The Mac Observer, and 富途牛牛.

Coverage emphasizes the potential for Apple to challenge established leaders in the space, with TradingView stating that Apple is coming for the foldable phone crown currently held by Samsung. The reporting highlights a broad consensus across these sources regarding the projected 2026 market share, framing the iPhone Duo as a pivotal entry that could disrupt the existing distribution of foldable phone sales globally. Context provided by Counterpoint suggests a broader recovery for global foldable smartphone panels starting in the second half of the year. According to Counterpoint, Apple is expected to be the primary contributor to the largest incremental growth within this panel market. This suggests that the lead-up to the iPhone Duo's release is already influencing panel production trends and that Apple's entry is viewed as a catalyst for the recovery of the foldable component sector after a period of fluctuation.

Observers are now monitoring the supply chain upgrades mentioned by TrendForce to see how Apple implements its foldable technology. Future developments will likely focus on whether the shipment volume of 5 million units cited by TradingView is met. The industry is watching to see if Apple's entry successfully translates into the projected 25% market share in 2026, as the company attempts to secure a dominant position against Samsung in the high-end foldable segment.