Apple is reported that the shipment volume of its first foldable iPhone may reach tens of millions, and the foldable iPad will be released in 2028.

On September 3rd, according to Tianfeng International Securities analyst Guo Mingji, Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026 and follow up with a foldable iPad in 2028. Both foldable devices will adopt an ultra-thin glass cover solution, with Corning being the exclusive supplier of the glass materials.

Guo Mingji predicts that the shipment volume of the foldable iPhone will reach 8 - 10 million units in 2026 and is expected to grow to 25 million units in 2027. Guo believes that the pricing strategy of the foldable iPad will be more high - end, offering a display area of 18 to 20 inches when unfolded and remaining portable when folded. This will be the largest mobile device screen Apple has ever produced, so the sales forecast is relatively conservative.

Previously, there were rumors that Apple's first foldable iPhone would feature under - display fingerprint recognition. Guo Mingji believes this is unlikely. He previously predicted that the product would have side fingerprint recognition, and in his latest forecast, he expects Luxshare Precision to supply the side fingerprint recognition module.

Some analysts believe that Apple's choice of the side fingerprint recognition solution is mainly due to its pursuit of maximizing internal space. Multiple analysts predict that when unfolded, the device will be only about 4.5 - 4.8 millimeters thick, and when folded, it will be only 9 - 9.5 millimeters thick. In such a thin and light design, Apple needs to save internal space as much as possible. The Touch ID solution on the side button is easier to meet this requirement than the Face ID facial recognition system.

Compared with competitors such as Samsung and Huawei, which have already launched foldable products, Apple is a latecomer. However, with its strong supply - chain control ability and brand influence, Apple is expected to redefine the product standards for foldable devices.

According to a recent report released by IDC, the global shipment volume of foldable smartphones is expected to reach approximately 19.83 million units in 2025, a year - on - year increase of about 6.0%.

TrendForce predicts that if Apple officially enters the foldable smartphone market in 2026, the attention and acceptance of foldable products among high - end consumers are expected to increase rapidly.

Currently, Samsung leads the foldable smartphone market. However, TrendForce says that due to competition from other brands, Samsung's market share will be challenged, and its global market share is expected to decline from 45.2% last year to 35.4% in 2025. Huawei is expected to continue its strong performance in the Chinese market and rank second globally with a market share of 34.3%.

In addition, the market shares of Honor and Lenovo (Motorola) in the foldable smartphone market are expected to increase from 6.0% and 5.5% last year to 9.1% and 7.6% respectively in 2025. Xiaomi, with its MIX Flip series, has entered the lightweight foldable phone market, and its market share is expected to grow from 3.0% last year to 5.1% this year.

This article is from "Jiemian News", author: Hou Ruining. Republished by 36Kr with permission.