On May 23, 2025, people explored iPhones at the Apple store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Adam Gray | Reuters
Apple plans to introduce a foldable iPhone as early as next year, according to trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo noted that the display might be manufactured by Samsung Display, with up to eight million foldable panels set for production next year. However, details about other components, such as the device’s hinge, are still under consideration. He anticipates the price to be “premium.”
Kuo, who works for TF International Securities, specializes in the Asian electronics supply chain and often provides insights on Apple products before their release.
In a post shared on the social media platform X, Kuo mentioned that Apple’s foldable iPhone plans are not finalized and may change. Apple has not yet commented on this situation to CNBC.
The iPhone represents over half of Apple’s revenue and remains a highly profitable product, generating $201 billion in sales for the fiscal year 2024. Nevertheless, iPhone revenue reached its peak in 2022, prompting Apple to seek new customers and encourage existing ones to upgrade to higher-end devices.
At MWC, Samsung showcased another concept device called the Flex S, which folds in a zigzag pattern to form an “S” shape.
Ryan Browne | CNBC
Many of Apple’s competitors, such as Huawei and Samsung, have been launching folding smartphones since 2019.
These devices promise to offer the screen size of a tablet while being compact enough to fit in a pocket. However, challenges like creases developing on the screen remain an issue.
Additionally, folding phones have not yet demonstrated substantial demand after the initial excitement fades.
A report from TrendForce last year indicated that only 1.5% of smartphones sold were foldable. Another research firm, Counterpoint, noted that the foldable market saw only a 3% growth in 2024 and is projected to decline in 2025.
