The iPhone Duo launched recently as Apple's first foldable and now, a report expects the Cupertino brand to ship around 5 million units, becoming the second-largest foldable brand globally.
Apple iPhone Duo to Capture 24.8% of Global Shipments
Market analytics watchdog TrendForce forecasts that Apple will ship around 5 million units of the iPhone Duo in 2026, giving the brand a 24.8% share of the foldable market. This will make Apple the second-largest foldable brand globally, right below Samsung.
However, the research firm says that the global foldable market will be at roughly 20.2 million units in 2026, up by just 0.5% year-on-year. Excluding Apple, Android foldable shipments are expected to land at around 15.2 million units, down more than 20% year-on-year.
This indicates that even though Apple will end up being the second-biggest foldable brand globally, the overall foldable category will shrink on a year-on-year basis. TrendForce attributes this drop to sharp increases in component costs due to the RAM crisis, driving prices across every segment in 2026.
| Brand | 2026 shipments (approx.) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 7.1 million | 35.1% |
| Apple | 5 million | 24.8% |
| Huawei | 5 million | 24.8% |
Based on the above table, Apple and Huawei will share the same market share, while Samsung will lead with roughly a third of the foldable market. A big reason for Samsung's lead is attributed to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which launched as a direct competitor to the iPhone Duo earlier.
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TrendForce Contradicts IDC's iPhone Duo Forecast
Moving on, the analysis published by TrendForce is a direct contradiction to IDC's iPhone Duo shipment forecast. IDC expected more than 10 million foldable iPhone shipments in 2026 and claimed Apple's entry into the foldable space would help grow the market by 12.6%.
IDC also predicted that Apple would eventually take 40% of all foldable shipments in 2027. However, IDC's predictions were made before the launch of the iPhone Duo and its pricing and availability details were out.
With iPhone Duo going on sale on October 23, 2026, it leaves roughly ten weeks of sales to account for compared to IDC's 12-week forecast. Hence, the disparity in numbers in both firms' reports.
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iPhone Duo Might Face Sales Stalling in India
Even though both IDC and TrendForce project strong demand for iPhone Duo globally, the story isn't that black and white for India. The iPhone Duo launched for $1,999, which roughly translates to Rs 1,92,000.
However, in India, the iPhone Duo will start at Rs 2,99,999 for the 256 GB model. This is equivalent to $3,140, which is a whopping $1,141 (approximately Rs 1,10,000) gap. This makes it the most expensive iPhone ever sold in India and also the most expensive foldable phone in the country.
For less, there is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which offers the same passport-like design and overall better value. Hence, TrendForce's report doesn't mean a huge Indian contribution. However, the demand for iPhone Duo will no doubt stay high globally.
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