- New report suggests foldable phone prices could rise 18% this year
- This is partly due to the iPhone Ultra, which could launch at a very high price.
- Samsung and other brands could well take advantage of this market change
2026 could be one of the biggest years for foldable phones yet, as it looks like the foldable iPhone Ultra will finally arrive in September. But while this is sure to excite anyone who’s been waiting for a foldable device made by Apple, it could also bring bad news for consumers.
You see, according to a recent report from Counterpoint Research (via 9to5Mac), the average price of foldable phones could increase by up to 18% this year, and that increase will be thanks in part to Apple’s upcoming model.
Specifically, the average price is predicted to rise to $1,485 (about £1,110 / AU$2,140), and that’s partly because the iPhone Ultra will likely cost significantly more than that, with a recent IDC report predicting the phone could sell for up to $2,500 (about £1,870 / AU$3,600), and that could just be the starting price.
Being an iPhone, it is sure to be popular and could therefore increase the average price of foldable phones. But its impact could extend to other brands as well, because a $2,500 foldable iPhone could make those prices more palatable when connected to phones from Samsung and other companies.
A welcome rival
With this in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise that a Samsung executive said last year that the Korean giant is “welcoming others to join this category,” in response to a question about the arrival of the iPhone Ultra.
Don’t be surprised, then, if Samsung’s future foldable devices cost more than the current ones, and not just because of rising RAM prices and inflation, but also because of Apple’s impact.
Still, this Counterpoint report also has good news on pricing, as while it predicts that book-style foldables will continue to rise in price, foldable models are expected to drop in price on average, bringing them closer to premium stick-style smartphone alternatives.
So while book-style folding products may start to seem even more out of reach for many buyers, folding models could become increasingly affordable.
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