A Wall Street analyst predicts that Apple will unveil its inaugural foldable smartphone later this year, potentially disrupting a market largely controlled by Samsung.
Citi analyst Atif Malik forecasts that the foldable iPhone will make its debut during Apple’s annual autumn event, coinciding with the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. His latest analysis, disclosed on Tuesday, estimates the device will retail at approximately $2,000.
Initial sales projections anticipate around 8 million units by 2026, which would represent about 3 percent of total iPhone shipments. This figure is expected to escalate to 20 million units in the subsequent year.
Analyst reduces Apple price target amid margin pressures from escalating chip costs
Malik maintains a Buy rating on Apple shares but has adjusted his price target downward from $330 to $315, citing increasing margin pressures caused by rising memory chip prices.
Over the past year, Apple’s stock has faced challenges as investors gravitate toward companies with a stronger focus on artificial intelligence, such as Nvidia and Microsoft. Additionally, trade tensions stemming from the Trump administration with key markets in Europe and China have adversely impacted the stock’s performance.
Although shares have appreciated by 11 percent in the past twelve months, they have underperformed the S&P 500’s 15 percent gain. In 2026, Apple shares have dipped 6 percent, aligning with Meta for the weakest performance among the Magnificent Seven tech giants.
Presently, roughly half of Wall Street analysts classify Apple as a Buy, based on data from Yahoo Finance.
Recent strategic moves may bolster performance. Apple has announced a partnership with Google aimed at integrating Gemini models and cloud technology into the forthcoming iteration of Siri. While some observers argue that this partnership indicates Apple has lagged in the AI race, others regard it as a prudent strategy.
A foldable iPhone may also incentivize consumer upgrades. Research from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners indicates that over one-third of new iPhone purchasers in the U.S. have retained their previous devices for three years or longer.
The proportion of buyers using phones aged two or more years surged from 66 percent in 2023 to 70 percent in 2024.
Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan, who also issues a Buy rating for Apple, suggests that the launch of the foldable iPhone, along with enhancements to Siri, could stimulate higher upgrade rates.
Samsung appears to be countering Apple’s incursion
Reports indicate that the South Korean tech giant is striving to eradicate the visible crease in its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8.
The company aims to implement a dual Ultra Thin Glass structure, applying the material to both the upper and lower layers of the display panel, instead of exclusively the top layer.
This innovation could diminish crease visibility by approximately 20 percent in comparison to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Samsung showcased this enhanced panel at CES 2026, featuring improved light dispersion and optimized stress resistance through laser-drilled micro-perforations in the backplate.
Apple and Samsung are both expected to employ distinct iterations of the panel provided by Samsung Display. The foldable iPhone is likely to utilize a glass substrate, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may incorporate a laser-drilled metal support framework.
The visible crease continues to be a significant challenge for foldable screens, along with issues of small batteries and limited camera capabilities.
Despite advancements in recent years, the crease remains a persistent issue due to the necessity of the screen folding.
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