Apple has entered the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the iPhone Duo, bringing a new competitor to a segment where Samsung has been active since 2019.
A recent Wall Street Journal report found that some Samsung foldable-phone users expressed frustration over the attention surrounding Apple’s entry. Some users questioned why features available on Samsung’s foldable devices for years have received renewed attention following Apple’s launch.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Apple has entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo.
Some Samsung foldable-phone users have criticized the attention surrounding Apple’s entry.
Samsung has been active in the mainstream foldable-phone market since 2019.
Reactions among Samsung users are mixed rather than uniformly negative.
TrendForce projects Apple could capture 24.8% of the global foldable smartphone market in 2026.
Samsung is projected to remain the largest foldable-phone brand in 2026.
Samsung has been developing foldable smartphones since 2019 and has released multiple generations of its Galaxy Z series. Apple’s entry has consequently intensified competition in the premium foldable-phone segment.
However, reactions among Samsung users are not uniformly negative. The WSJ report also highlighted users who acknowledged that Apple could refine existing foldable technology and attract more consumers to the category.
Apple’s iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 in the United States. Market research firm TrendForce estimates that Apple could ship around 5 million units in 2026, giving it approximately 24.8% of the global foldable smartphone market. Samsung is projected to remain the largest brand in the segment with an estimated 35.1% share.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Apple’s entry brings another major smartphone manufacturer into the foldable-phone segment and increases competition with established players such as Samsung.
