Huawei and Apple bend to a tougher market with foldable phones as memory crunch bites
Apple and Huawei are preparing to launch new foldable smartphones, a move analysts believe will revitalize the struggling global mobile market. Despite a projected 17% decline in overall smartphone shipments for 2026, the foldable segment is expected to see significant growth.
Why it matters
The foldable phone market is emerging as a critical growth driver for tech giants facing a broader industry downturn and rising component costs.
Highly anticipated foldable launches from Apple and Huawei Technologies next week are expected to offer a much-needed lifeline to a subdued global smartphone market, which is bracing for an estimated 17 per cent decline in 2026.
Apple’s September 9 event has the industry watching closely, with expectations building for its first foldable iPhone to take centre stage alongside standard model refreshes and the keynote debut of new CEO John Ternus.
The US tech giant’s biggest product showcase of the year will arrive just two days after Shenzhen-based Huawei unveils the Mate XT 2, an upgrade to its flagship trifold device.
Analysts are counting on Apple’s foldable debut to lift a sluggish smartphone sector reeling from soaring component costs.
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