iPhone Duo demand is high, Apple expected to ship 6 million units in 2026 alone

Apple has launched its first foldable, the iPhone Duo. It is going on sale in October. Incoming data suggests strong demand with Apple expected to ship 6 million or 60 lakh units by the end of this year.

In Short

• Apple could ship up to 6 million foldable iPhones in 2026
• Apple could capture 25 per cent of foldable market
• Foldable market could grow 37 per cent YoY in 2027

Apple’s first foldable iPhone Duo is set to go on sale from October 23. Its Rs 3-lakh starting price became a major talking point when it was launched on September 9. But despite its exorbitant pricing, research suggests strong demand with Apple expected to ship nearly 6 million iPhone Duo units in 2026 alone. Moreover, Apple’s entry into the space could help push the market forward in terms of sales and consumer adoption.

Apple enters the foldable phone race

Foldable smartphones began entering the market in 2019, notably with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Since then, the South Korean phone maker has ruled the foldable landscape. Now, Counterpoint Research’s recent report says that Apple's first foldable could capture 25 per cent of the global market, placing it in second position. Samsung still remains at the top with 38 per cent, and Huawei is in third at 22 per cent. If the report proves true, it would be a significant achievement for Apple to gain this ranking so quickly.

Foldable smartphones are gaining popularity day by day. The report reveals that global foldable shipments could cross a major milestone in 2026, with total lifetime units set to surpass "100 million by the end of the year." This count starts from 2019, so it has taken almost eight years to get there. But foldable popularity is now rising so fast that the report suggests the market could easily hit the next 100 million cumulative shipments within the next three years.

Now, Apple’s foldable – iPhone Duo – entry into the market, clubbed with stronger demand for Samsung’s and Huawei's foldables, could boost overall foldable device demand, ultimately raising global shipments by 37 per cent YoY in 2027. But this is only Apple’s entry; the report predicted a full 12 months of sales of its foldable iPhone, which could significantly boost its overall shipments. As a result, Apple's share of the foldable smartphone market could rise to 40 per cent.

The foldable craze has spread to other parts of the forest, and now more brands want to wash their hands in the flowing river. Xiaomi is rumoured to be preparing the Xiaomi 18 Fold for a launch soon. Motorola, Honor, Google, Vivo and Oppo are also working on new foldables, including wider-format models. With so many players jumping in, the once-rare folding phone may soon be a common sight in every pocket.

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