LOOKING AHEAD: Despite recently increasing the price of most of its products, Apple still expects to sell around 2 million to 3 million more foldable iPhone Ultra handsets than previously predicted. Cupertino's first folding device is predicted to launch this year and account for 29% of all foldable phone display orders for 2026, just behind market leader Samsung's 31%.
Nikkei Asia reports that Apple has told suppliers to prepare for about 10 million foldable iPhones in 2026, up from forecasts of 7 million to 8 million units a few months ago.
The company is also said to be planning around 70 million iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max units, taking new second-half introductions to about 80 million and total annual orders to 220 million.
That's an ambitious target, especially as Apple has spent years watching rivals dominate the foldable market with their versions.
Samsung has been selling foldables since 2019, Huawei has pushed the format hard in China, and clamshell models have helped make the category feel less niche. Apple, as usual, appears to be arriving only once it can charge enough to make everyone forget how late it is.
