Apple’s first foldable could make an immediate mark on the category, even as questions remain over reports of cracked inner displays. TrendForce continues to project about 5 million iPhone Duo shipments in 2026, giving Apple an estimated 24.8% share of the global foldable-phone market for the year.
The forecast is notable for a device that reportedly reached buyers on October 23, but it measures shipments rather than confirmed sell-through to end users. It also does not establish whether the display complaints will have a lasting effect on demand. TrendForce said some early orders showed delivery estimates extending as far as January 2027.
A Foldable That Could Reshape a Flat Market
Global foldable shipments are expected to reach about 20.2 million units in 2026, just 0.5% above 2025, according to TrendForce. In that context, Apple’s projected 5 million units would represent much of the category’s growth: without the iPhone Duo, combined Android foldable shipments would decline by more than 20% year over year.
TrendForce expects the competitive picture to tighten in 2027, when total foldable shipments could rise 16.3% to 23.5 million units.
| Company | Projected 2027 foldable market share | Projected 2027 market position |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 31.9% | First |
| Apple | 29.8% | Second |
| Huawei | 21.3% | Third |
A separate forecast from Counterpoint Research is more bullish on Apple, projecting a 40% share in 2027 and 37% growth for the overall foldable market. The gap between the two outlooks underscores the uncertainty around Apple’s first full year in the segment.
Inner-Screen Reliability Is Still an Open Question
Images shared after launch have shown cracking around the display crease, in some cases accompanied by bright lines on the panel. Apple told TechRadar it is aware of an inner-display issue affecting a small number of units and advised affected owners to contact AppleCare for a replacement. The company did not say how many devices are involved or identify the cause.
iFixit has suggested one possible hardware explanation after examining the hinge: a central support bar may not retract far enough when the phone closes, potentially placing pressure on the display. That remains a hypothesis rather than a confirmed cause.
For buyers considering the iPhone Duo as a pocketable device that opens into a larger workspace, the 7.6-inch inner screen and relatively subtle crease are central to its appeal. But reports of software that leaves black borders around some apps point to another early compromise: not every app is yet using the full flexible display. Apple’s shipment outlook may be intact for now, while real-world durability and app optimization remain the more consequential tests for prospective owners.
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