Report: iPhone Ultra set to account for 25% of foldable smartphone shipments in 2026 - 9to5Mac

What the report says

9to5Mac reported on July 23, 2026, that a new Counterpoint Research forecast expects Apple to take a major position in the foldable phone market shortly after entering it. The research firm projects Apple’s foldable iPhone Ultra could represent 25% of global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, while the overall foldable market is forecast to grow 21% year over year.

According to the figures cited by 9to5Mac, Samsung is still expected to lead the category in 2026, though its share would decline from 40% in 2025 to 32%. Apple would enter in second place at 25%, just ahead of Huawei at 24%, down from 30%. Motorola is projected at 8%, HONOR at 3%, and other brands together at 8%.

The report’s significance is that Apple’s arrival could reshape competition in a premium segment that has so far been led largely by Samsung and Chinese manufacturers. Counterpoint’s analysis, as summarized by 9to5Mac, links interest in wider, book-style foldables to emerging AI workflows, where larger screens may help with document summaries, editing, scheduling and moving information across apps.

9to5Mac also noted that the forecast follows Samsung’s unveiling of its next-generation foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold8. The article said Samsung’s shorter and wider design resembles the form factor rumored for Apple’s foldable iPhone, while citing Samsung mobile product chief Drew Blackard’s comment, relayed by Joanna Stern, that the design direction was not tied to Apple reports and was intended to improve wide-screen use such as video.