- 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 benefit from this market shift
2026 could be one of the biggest years yet for foldable phones, as the foldable iPhone Ultra is finally expected to arrive in September. But while this certainly excites anyone waiting for an Apple-made foldable, it could also bring bad news to 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 partly driven by Apple’s next model.
Specifically, the average price is expected to reach $1,485 (around £1,110 / AU$2,140), and that’s partly because the iPhone Ultra itself will likely cost a lot more than that, with a recent report from IDC predicting the phone could cost up to $2,500 (around £1,870 / AU$3,600) – and that could well be the starting price.
Since it’s an iPhone, it’s sure to be popular and could therefore drive up the average price of foldable phones. But its impact could extend to other brands as well, as a $2,500 foldable iPhone could make those prices more palatable when docked with phones from Samsung and other companies.
A welcome rival
With that in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise that a Samsung executive said last year that the Korean giant was “welcoming others to join this category,” in response to a question about the arrival of the iPhone Ultra.
So don’t be surprised if future Samsung foldables cost more than current ones – and not just because of rising RAM prices and inflation, but also because of Apple’s impact.
Nonetheless, this report from Counterpoint also contains some good news on pricing, as while it predicts that prices for book-style foldables will continue to rise, clamshell models are expected to drop on average, bringing them closer to premium bar-style smartphone alternatives.
So while book-style folding models might start to seem even more out of reach for many buyers, clamshell models might become increasingly accessible.
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