Analyst Predicts Apple to Launch High-End Folding iPhones Starting Next Year

According to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is preparing to introduce a folding iPhone as early as next year. Kuo, who is known for his insights on the Asian electronics supply chain and Apple products, indicated that the device’s display may be produced by Samsung Display, which plans to manufacture around eight million foldable panels for Apple in the coming year. However, other crucial components, such as the hinge mechanism for the device, have yet to be finalized. Kuo also noted that the folding iPhone is expected to come with a premium price tag.

Apple’s iPhone business is a significant part of its overall revenue, accounting for over half of the company’s total sales, which reached $201 billion in the fiscal year 2024. Despite this success, iPhone revenue peaked in 2022, prompting Apple to seek innovative ways to attract new customers and encourage existing ones to upgrade to higher-end devices. The competition is fierce, with rivals like Huawei and Samsung offering folding smartphones since 2019 that merge the functionality of a tablet with a compact form suitable for pockets. Despite the allure of folding smartphones, these devices still face challenges, such as creases on the display where they fold.

Furthermore, initial enthusiasm around folding phones has not translated into sustained consumer demand. Research firm TrendForce reported that only 1.5% of all smartphones sold could fold. Moreover, Counterpoint, another research entity, indicated that the folding market saw a mere 3% growth in 2024, with predictions suggesting a decline in 2025 before a potential recovery in the following years.