Apple May Adopt Galaxy Z TriFold-Style Strategy for First Foldable iPhone

Apple may be preparing to borrow a page from Samsung’s playbook as it gears up for its first foldable iPhone. According to a new rumor, the company could adopt a Galaxy Z Trifold–like launch strategy, one that prioritizes aggressive pricing and tightly controlled availability, even if it means sacrificing short-term profits. The device may launch at the end of 2026, but in limited quantities.

Apple has a lot of ground to cover in the foldable phone segment

Samsung has been shipping foldable smartphones since 2019 and has steadily refined its designs across multiple generations. Apple, meanwhile, is widely expected to finally enter the category next year. That late entry means the company can’t afford a cautious or half-hearted debut. Instead, the latest chatter suggests it is considering a bold, Samsung-inspired approach to quickly establish credibility in the foldable market.

Earlier reports pointed to a steep launch price of around $2,399 for the iPhone Fold, putting it well above current Galaxy foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold 7 debuted at $1,999. At that level, the iPhone maker would be asking customers to pay a significant premium for a first-generation device that competes directly against Samsung’s far more mature Fold lineup.

However, the latest rumor suggests a different approach. Apple is now reportedly aiming for pricing closer to the Galaxy Z Fold lineup, i.e., in the $2,000 range. With Samsung expected to launch the Fold 8 in mid-2026 at a similar price point, Apple would risk dampening demand if it priced its first foldable any higher. If accurate, this would represent a clear shift in strategy and an unusually aggressive move by the iPhone maker.

Matching Samsung on price could mean thinner margins, or even losses, on each unit sold. But that may be a calculated trade-off. For Apple, the priority might not be immediate profitability, but gaining real-world traction, developer interest, and user mindshare in a category where Samsung already dominates. The Korean firm is doing something similar with the Galaxy Z TriFold, with reports suggesting losses on each unit sold.

In fact, Apple may even follow Samsung in launching its first foldable in limited quantities. While the device may debut at the end of next year, wider availability isn’t expected until 2027. It’s unclear if all of this is a strategic move or also a supply chain limitation. We shall find out soon.