Apple plans to sell 11 million iPhone Fold units
Apple has ordered 22 million OLED panels from Samsung Display for the first iPhone Fold, which according to ET News suggests a significantly higher production target than the display industry had previously anticipated. In a report that has since apparently been deleted, ET News claimed that Samsung planned to mass-produce 11 million inward-folding OLED displays for Apple next year, along with 11 million related external displays.
Since Samsung Display is the exclusive supplier of these components, the production schedule suggests that Apple’s target production for the first-generation iPhone Fold is around 10 million units. Suppliers typically produce more components than Apple needs to compensate for variations in yield and quality.
This production plan is over 30% higher than the original industry expectations, which projected six to eight million Apple iPhone Folds shipped. These earlier estimates were based on the historical performance of the global foldable smartphone market, which averaged just over 20 million units annually.
The report confirmed that the device is expected to feature a 5.35-inch external display and a 7.58-inch internal display. It is said to have an advanced hinge design and special material properties to minimize creasing in the display.
Apple iPhone Fold to account for 22% of the foldable market and 34% of revenue
According to new estimates from IDC, the Apple iPhone Fold is expected to trigger significant growth in the global foldable phone market in 2026. IDC anticipates that the foldable iPhone Fold will achieve a market share of over 22% and a revenue share of 34% in its first year, based on an expected starting price of $2,400 (€2,075). Currently, the foldable smartphone market is dominated by Samsung, Honor, and Google.
“The introduction of Apple’s first foldable iPhone marks a turning point for the foldable device segment,” he said. Francisco Jeronimo, Vice President for Client Devices at IDC. “This move should increase awareness of the category and spark consumer interest. Apple is often a catalyst for the widespread adoption of new product categories. Although foldable devices will remain a niche segment in terms of volume, they will become a significant value driver for most foldable device vendors, as average selling prices will be three times higher than those of a standard smartphone.”
The market for foldable smartphones is expected to grow by 30 percent by 2026, thanks to Apple’s market entry. Samsungs Galaxy Z TriFold, which will be launched in January 2026, is also likely to contribute to this growth.
Apple is reportedly planning to introduce Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE). This involves removing the conventional polarization layer and integrating its functionality directly into the OLED chip. Eliminating the polarization layer allows for reduced thickness and improved brightness. Rumors also suggest the device will feature an Under-display camera (UDC), which allows the internal display to have a more seamless full-screen appearance without a punch-hole or visible camera cutout.
Rumors suggest that Apple’s first foldable iPhone will be released in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. It was unveiled. It is said to have a book-like design that can be folded horizontally to create a larger display, roughly the size of an iPad mini.
