iPhone Duo Expected to Capture Nearly 25% of Foldable Smartphone Market in 2026 as Apple's First Foldable Drives Supply Chain Upgrades, Says TrendForce

TAIPEI, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple has officially launched its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo. Featuring a book-style inward-folding design, the device comes with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch cover display. TrendForce estimates that iPhone Duo shipments will reach approximately 5 million units in 2026, giving Apple a 24.8% share of the foldable smartphone market and making it the second-largest brand behind Samsung.

TrendForce forecasts global foldable smartphone shipments of approximately 20.2 million units in 2026, up just 0.5% YoY. Excluding Apple, combined shipments from Android brands are expected to reach only around 15.2 million units, down more than 20% YoY.

The decline mainly reflects sharp increases in component costs, with most brands expected to post flat or lower shipments than the previous year. Samsung is projected to ship approximately 7.1 million units for a 35.1% market share, while Huawei is expected to ship around 5 million units for a 24.8% share.

Foldable competition shifts toward structural design, prompting rivals to reassess strategies

As foldable devices mature, competition is increasingly focused on thinner, lighter designs, reduced creasing, and long-term reliability. Crease reduction no longer depends solely on hinge design or any single material. Instead, manufacturers are moving toward the co-design of ultra-thin glass (UTG), optically clear adhesive (OCA), OLED modules, and support structures. Suppliers can better control stress distribution across the folding area by optimizing material modulus, thickness distribution, and layer positioning.

TrendForce notes that the iPhone Duo's inner display module features a 10-layer stack of ultra-thin materials, combined with a nano-texture surface treatment to reduce reflections and make the crease less visually noticeable. The device also features a Grade 5 titanium frame and hinge cover. It weighs around 254g and measures approximately 5.2 mm thick when unfolded and 11.3 mm when folded.

Apple has omitted a dedicated periscope telephoto camera to minimize thickness and conserve internal space. Instead, the 48 MP main camera provides 2x optical-quality zoom, while a side-mounted Touch ID sensor replaces Face ID. These choices highlight the trade-offs that foldable smartphones continue to face among device thickness, camera capabilities, biometric components, and battery space.

The iPhone Duo's design suggests that Apple is not simply pursuing a larger foldable display. Instead, the company is differentiating the device through crease reduction, long-term reliability, consistency between the inner and outer displays, and thinner integration of the display module with the overall device.

Additionally, iOS 27 expands the foldable experience through enhanced Split View for two-app multitasking, continuity between the inner and outer displays, and interfaces optimized for different folding angles. This extends the value of the foldable form factor beyond hardware into software and multitasking.

TrendForce views 2026 as a year of structural realignment for the foldable smartphone market. For now, incremental demand generated by the iPhone Duo is primarily offsetting declines among existing brands.

However, over the medium to long term, Apple's requirements for displays, UTG, hinges, and overall device architecture could accelerate supply chain technology maturation and the expansion of mass-production scale. Apple's entry could also prompt Samsung and Chinese brands to reassess their foldable product strategies, accelerating improvements in technical specifications and cost reductions.

In addition to ongoing hardware improvements, AI applications may significantly boost demand for foldable devices. As generative and multimodal AI become more embedded in smartphones, their use cases are broadening from simple apps to real-time translation, content creation, image editing, document summarization, and cross-application collaboration. The expanded display space of an open foldable phone allows users to view AI-generated content, source material, and multiple apps simultaneously, enriching multitasking and human-machine interaction.

For Apple, the iPhone Duo integrates Apple Intelligence and Siri AI to support natural-language interactions, personalized contextual understanding, and in-app actions. Deeper integration of AI and multitasking interfaces with the larger foldable display could transform the device from a hardware differentiator into a new interface for AI applications.

This suggests that the next stage of foldable smartphone competition will extend beyond making devices thinner, lighter, and less prone to visible creasing. Creating AI experiences that are fundamentally different from those available on conventional slab smartphones will also be critical to further expanding the market.

For more information on TrendForce's display reports and market data, please visit the Report Page, leave a Message, or Email (DR_MI@trendforce.com) the Sales Department.

For more on the latest technology industry news and trends, please visit News.

About TrendForce

TrendForce is a global leader in technology industry analysis and consulting services. With deep expertise spanning foundry, DRAM, HBM, NAND Flash, AI servers, robotics, near-eye displays, display panels, LEDs, MLCC, and green energy, it also offers in-depth research into key market drivers such as AI, automotive technologies, 5G/6G communications, LEO satellites, and the IoT.

Backed by a team of top industry professionals, TrendForce has been at the forefront of global market research for over 25 years. More than 60% of its clients are among the world's top 500 companies.

TrendForce's global footprint includes Taipei, Shenzhen, Silicon Valley, New York, and Tokyo. With timely and strategic industry analysis, TrendForce delivers the critical information that empowers businesses to make smarter, faster decisions.

CONTACT: DR_MI@trendforce.com

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iPhone Duo Expected to Capture Nearly 25% of Foldable Smartphone Market in 2026 as Apple's First Foldable Drives Supply Chain Upgrades, Says TrendForce

iPhone Duo Expected to Capture Nearly 25% of Foldable Smartphone Market in 2026 as Apple's First Foldable Drives Supply Chain Upgrades, Says TrendForce

SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ROWAN, a premium home appliance brand, today announces the launch of Nova Reverie™, a new espresso machine designed to make everyday home brewing faster, more streamlined, and more enjoyable. Combining an integrated grind-to-tamp workflow, rapid heating, precision extraction, and refined design, Nova Reverie™ brings a more effortless barista experience into the home.

Recognized with a 2026 TWICE VIP Award, Nova Reverie™ marks ROWAN's entry into the premium home espresso category, bringing the brand's appliance expertise to a new generation of coffee enthusiasts who value both performance and design.

A More Streamlined Workflow, From Bean to Cup
Traditional espresso preparation often involves multiple separate steps, from grinding and dosing to tamping and extraction. Nova Reverie™ brings key preparation steps together through an integrated grind-to-tamp workflow, helping simplify the process and reduce unnecessary handling of coffee grounds.

The integrated conical burr grinder offers 30 grind settings, giving users the flexibility to adjust grind size for different beans and roast profiles. By bringing grinding and tamping into a more seamless workflow, Nova Reverie™ helps users spend less time managing the process and more time enjoying the ritual of making espresso.

Espresso in Under a Minute
Designed for the pace of everyday life, Nova Reverie™ combines a 1500W heating system with an efficient brewing workflow to minimize waiting time. The machine can reach brewing temperature in approximately 20 seconds, helping users prepare espresso in under one minute from startup.

Whether it is the first espresso of the morning or a drink prepared for guests, Nova Reverie™ is designed to keep the brewing experience moving without unnecessary interruptions.

Precision Designed for More Consistent Results
Nova Reverie™ is engineered to help users achieve more consistent espresso extraction through a combination of an Italian ULKA pump, 9-bar extraction, low-pressure pre-infusion, and PID & NTC temperature control, with three adjustable temperature settings.

A professional-style 58mm portafilter provides a familiar platform for espresso preparation and supports a broad range of coffee accessories, while the visual pressure gauge allows users to monitor pressure throughout the brewing process.

Nova Reverie™ gives both newer and more experienced home baristas greater control over the brewing process while helping create rich crema and balanced espresso.

Four Ways to Enjoy More Than Espresso
Nova Reverie™ brings four essential beverage functions into one machine: espresso, Americano, steamed milk frothing, and hot water.

Its steam system can produce milk froth in as little as 15 seconds, making it possible to prepare cappuccinos, lattes, and other milk-based drinks at home. A multi-layer insulated steam wand helps reduce heat transfer for more comfortable handling.

A 2.5L water tank also helps reduce the need for frequent refills during everyday brewing.

Designed to Make Coffee a Daily Ritual
Beyond its brewing capabilities, Nova Reverie™ is designed to complement the modern home. Its 304 stainless steel construction combines durability with a refined finish, while the streamlined form and integrated workflow are designed to keep the brewing setup visually clean and organized.

An intuitive touchscreen interface provides direct access to brewing controls, while one touch cleaning and descaling programs help simplify routine maintenance.

"We wanted to rethink the everyday espresso workflow—not by adding more complexity, but by bringing the key steps together in a more intuitive experience," said Mark Lu, Product Manager at ROWAN. "Nova Reverie™ is designed to give coffee enthusiasts a faster way to prepare espresso while maintaining greater control over the brewing process. At the same time, we wanted the machine itself to feel like part of the coffee ritual—a product you enjoy using and seeing in your home."

Availability
The ROWAN Nova Reverie™ Espresso Machine launches first in a Brushed Stainless Steel finish on September 10, 2026, and will be available through Amazon and ROWAN's official website.

A Mirror Finish version is planned for a subsequent release. Featuring a 6K polished surface, fingerprint-resistant treatment, a transparent grinding window, and a side-mounted grind adjustment dial, the upcoming version will offer a distinct design expression within the Nova Reverie lineup.

About ROWAN
ROWAN is a premium home appliance brand dedicated to bringing together precision craftsmanship, intelligent innovation, and industrial artistry to create refined experiences for modern living.

Building on 17 years of global appliance manufacturing experience, ROWAN develops reliable, thoughtfully designed products that combine advanced technology with intuitive usability—making everyday living more effortless, enjoyable, and inspiring.

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

ROWAN Launches Nova Reverie Espresso Machine, Bringing a Faster, More Refined Home Coffee Experience