Samsung’s 2026 Foldable Lineup May Benefit from Apple Delay

Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market will shake things up, but its arrival may take longer than expected. The Cupertino giant may begin selling its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Fold, in December 2026. This could allow Samsung to debut its 2026 Galaxy foldables, likely in July, with less competition.

Apple may see a delay in its foldable iPhone launch plan

According to analyst Tim Long (via CNET), Apple’s foldable launch may be delayed due to supply chain issues. While the company reportedly planned to launch the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, that plan may now have hit snags. The analyst expects the iPhone Fold to arrive in December 2026.

Previously, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said, “Due to early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, smooth shipments may not occur until 2027.” However, the analyst expects the announcement to happen later in 2026. Anyway, this situation could give Samsung an edge. The Korean firm is reportedly preparing to launch its 2026 Galaxy foldable lineup a few months ahead of Apple’s offering.

The lineup could include not only the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Flip 8 but also a new Galaxy Wide Fold. The wider foldable is likely a response to the iPhone Fold that adopts a 4:3 layout. It could feature a 7.6-inch inner screen and a 5.4-inch outer display (almost mirror the iPhone Fold’s sizes).

Samsung is reportedly planning to make around 1 million units of the Wide Fold in 2026. This could allow it to secure early sales and market share before Apple releases its device. A research firm expects Samsung to bear around 31% of the global foldable market in 2026, while Apple could capture about 28%.

Apple is also reportedly considering a clamshell-style device at a later date, which could further intensify competition. Meanwhile, Samsung’s display business will benefit from Apple’s entry into foldables. The iPhone Fold could use the Korean firm’s crease-free foldable display technology.