A Wall Street analyst expects Apple to launch its first foldable smartphone later this year, shaking up a market currently dominated by Samsung.
Citi analyst Atif Malik predicts the foldable iPhone will debut at Apple’s annual fall event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. The device is expected to cost around $2,000, according to his analysis released Tuesday.
Initial sales are projected to reach 8 million units in 2026, around 3 percent of total iPhone shipments. That number could climb to 20 million units the following year.
Analyst Adjusts Apple Price Target Amid Margin Pressures
Malik maintains his Buy rating on Apple stock but lowered his price target from $330 to $315, citing margin pressure from rising memory chip costs.
Apple shares have struggled over the past year as investors shifted focus to companies more heavily involved in artificial intelligence, such as Nvidia and Microsoft. Trade tensions between the Trump administration and major Apple markets in Europe and China have also negatively impacted the stock.
Shares have seen an 11 percent increase over the past twelve months, trailing the S&P 500’s 15 percent rise. So far in 2026, Apple shares have declined 6 percent, matching Meta for the weakest performance among the Magnificent Seven tech stocks. Approximately half of Wall Street analysts currently recommend Apple as a Buy, according to Yahoo Finance data.
Recent strategic moves could prove beneficial. Apple recently announced a partnership with Google that will integrate Gemini models and cloud technology into the upcoming iteration of Siri. While some interpret this as an indication of Apple falling behind in AI development, others view it as a positive strategic decision.
The introduction of a foldable iPhone could also serve as a significant incentive for customers to upgrade their current devices. Research from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners indicates that over one-third of new US iPhone buyers have retained their previous phones for three years or longer. The proportion of iPhone buyers using phones that are two years old or older increased from 66 percent in 2023 to 70 percent in 2024.
Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan, who also rates Apple as a Buy, suggested that the launch of the foldable iPhone and the enhanced Siri powered by Gemini could stimulate higher upgrade rates.
Samsung Responds to Potential Apple Threat in Foldable Market
Reports indicate that the South Korean manufacturer is actively working to eliminate the visible crease on its forthcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8.
The company intends to implement a dual Ultra Thin Glass structure, applying the material to both the top and bottom layers of the display panel, rather than solely the top layer. This approach is expected to reduce crease visibility by approximately 20 percent compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Samsung showcased this advanced panel technology at CES 2026. The new panel demonstrates improved light dispersion and enhanced stress resistance through the integration of laser-drilled micro perforations in the backplate.
Apple and Samsung are reportedly set to utilize different versions of the panel supplied by Samsung Display. The foldable iPhone is anticipated to feature a glass substrate, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may incorporate a laser-drilled metal support plate.
The visible crease remains one of the primary challenges for foldable screens, alongside concerns regarding battery size and camera capabilities. While advancements have been made in recent years, the crease issue persists due to the inherent nature of folding a screen.