earthquake in the mobile market; The foldable iPhone will disrupt the equations of 2026

Newly published reports from the research institute Counterpoint (Counterpoint Research) show that the flexible display market will face a stunning leap in 2026. Based on this analysis, the global supply of foldable smartphone panels is expected to experience a 46% year-on-year growth in 2026. The main driver of this explosive growth is Apple’s official entry into this field and the beginning of supplying parts for the production of the first foldable iPhone. This event not only increases the size of the market, but also brings the competition to a new level.

Analysts believe that Apple’s decision to enter the foldable market will reinvigorate this part of the mobile industry and greatly increase demand throughout the supply chain. The interesting point in this report is the position of Samsung Display; The Korean company is seen as the biggest winner of this transformation, and its market share is projected to reach an impressive 57% by 2026. This means that most of the displays needed for the foldable iPhone and other competitors will be provided by Samsung.

In another part of this report, the change in the taste of users is mentioned. Book-style designs that fold inward are establishing themselves as the dominant form factor. These devices have become increasingly popular among consumers due to their larger screens and greater efficiency in multitasking. Signs of this procedure change were also observed in the second half of 2025; Where for the first time, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 model was able to surpass the Flip model in initial sales. This trend is also quite evident in the Chinese market, and users prefer larger foldable phones despite the higher prices.

On the panel suppliers side, the growth situation is not the same. BOE is likely to experience an 8% decline in market share, while Visionox will experience 8% growth. But the main surprises will be TCL CSOT with 47% growth and Tianma with a staggering 580% jump. Overall, Counterpoint estimates that the total supply of foldable phones will grow by around 14% in 2025 and around 38% in 2026, with the arrival of Folding iPhoneThis market will witness an increase in the average price and extensive innovations.

Source: GizmoChina