RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from 9to5Mac — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesGo to the 9to5Mac home page Switch site 9to5Toys 9to5Google Logo 9to5Google Electrek Drone DJ Logo DroneDJ Space Explored About Privacy Toggle social menu Toggle dark mode Search for: Submit Toggle search form Forums Store Podcasts Apple@Work Happy Hour 9to5Mac Daily Overtime iPhone iPhone Mac Mac MacBook Pro MacBook Air iMac Mac mini Mac Studio Mac Pro iPad iPad Pro iPad Air iPad mini iPad iPadOS Watch Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra Apple Health Apple Watch SE Vision Vision Pro visionOS Music and TV Apple Music AirPods HomePod Apple TV Guides Reviews How Tos AAPL Apple Store Apple Arcade Apple Card Apple Silicon Apple One Apple Fitness+ CarPlay Siri HomeKit Toggle dark mode iPhone Fold iPhone Ultra Here’s how many foldable iPhones IDC expects Apple to ship in one year Marcus Mendes | Aug 26 2026 - 2:13 pm PT 0 Comments As Apple reportedly gears up to announce its first foldable iPhone on September 9, Bloomberg reports that IDC has a bullish outlook on the device’s performance during its first year. Here are the details.
Next month at its "Surprise and shine" event , Apple is widely expected to announce its first book-style foldable iPhone, which rumors say could cost roughly $2,500.
Despite years-long skepticism around the category, Counterpoint Research recently forecast that book-type devices will account for 76% of global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, up from 52% in 2025, with Apple’s entry helping drive overall market growth of 21% year over year.
Now, IDC (via Bloomberg ) is out with an equally optimistic look at just how many foldable iPhones it expects Apple to ship in its first year of availability.
Bloomberg reports that, according to IDC’s senior research director, Nabila Popal, Apple is expected to “deliver more than 10 million shipments in its first year,” despite its steep price tag.
For reference, Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 8, which features a passport-like aspect ratio similar to the one Apple is reportedly planning for its foldable iPhone, starts at $1,899 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.
A recent Counterpoint Research report noted that while Samsung led the foldable smartphone market in 2025 with a 40% share, its share is expected to drop to 32% in 2026, with Apple projected to capture 25% of shipments in 2026 alone.
It is important to note that while Counterpoint’s projection covers only the 2026 calendar year, IDC’s estimate of more than 10 million shipments spans the foldable iPhone’s full first year of availability.
That said, both reports point to an optimistic outlook for the iPhone Ultra ’s performance.
Looking ahead, IDC notes that Apple’s entry into the foldables market will help “avert a double-digit percentage decline for foldables this year,” adding that this category “will grow 12.6% this year and accelerate to an 18% increase next year.”
IDC also predicts that Apple “will eventually account for 40% of all foldable shipments in 2027.”
To read Bloomberg 's full report, follow this link .
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:
Expand Close comments Expand Close comments Guides iPhone Fold iPhone Ultra Author Marcus Mendes https://www.threads.com/mvcmendes Marcus Mendes is a Brazilian tech podcaster and journalist who has been closely following Apple since the mid-2000s.
He began covering Apple news in Brazilian media in 2012 and later broadened his focus to the wider tech industry, hosting a daily podcast for seven years.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.