IDC projects Apple could help restart foldable iPhone momentum with shipments of more than 17 million units by 2027

Apple is expected to become a catalyst for growth in the foldable smartphone segment once it launches a foldable iPhone, according to an IDC projection cited by Yahoo Finance. The estimate points to shipments topping 17 million units by 2027, framing Apple’s potential move as a turning point for a product class that has faced a slow path to mass-market adoption.

The Yahoo Finance report centers on the IDC view that Apple’s participation would “reignite” growth in foldables. In practical terms, that would mean foldable phones would become a larger share of the overall smartphone market faster than many analysts expect, driven by Apple’s scale, distribution, and ability to set product expectations for the industry.

IDC’s forecast, as presented in the report, is notable because foldable phones have remained niche compared with traditional slab smartphones. The core market challenge has been balancing high prices, durable hardware requirements, and consumer willingness to switch to a more complex form factor. Apple’s entry, if it materializes as IDC anticipates, would be a major test of whether the category can cross from early adopters to broader demand.

Apple has not disclosed detailed plans for a foldable iPhone in the information provided for this story. The Yahoo Finance piece attributes the shipment outlook to IDC but does not, in the material available here, provide Apple-specific engineering timelines, confirmed launch windows, or commitments on unit targets. As with most market research-based articles, the key question remains whether and when Apple would actually launch a foldable device that meets IDC’s conditions for volume growth.

From a product and strategy standpoint, foldables would represent a distinct bet for Apple. A foldable iPhone would likely need to justify its value proposition through a combination of larger screens, improved usability in both folded and unfolded states, and credible reliability over time. For Apple, it would also be a chance to expand the range of device experiences available to iOS customers without relying solely on incremental upgrades to standard models.

The sector context is that foldable smartphones are still in the phase of proving they can be both desirable and commercially durable. Even when initial sales occur, the sustainability of demand depends on repeatable manufacturing yield, service ecosystems, and the ability to keep feature sets and pricing aligned with mainstream expectations. IDC’s projection of more than 17 million units by 2027, if correct, implies the category could move into a higher-volume stage within a relatively short period.

At the same time, this story’s central forecast carries typical uncertainty. IDC estimates do not equal company guidance, and the path from “expected to reignite” to actual shipments depends on product readiness, supply chain execution, and Apple’s willingness to introduce a foldable that can scale economically. The provided material also does not specify the size of the iPhone foldable opportunity in terms of pricing, technical specifications, or whether IDC assumes Apple would be the only major driver of that growth.

What to watch next is whether Apple provides clearer indicates about product direction and whether other industry suppliers begin to align capacity and components for foldable production at scale. Separately, investors and consumers will likely look for evidence that Apple can address the foldables fundamentals that have slowed adoption elsewhere, including durability, repairs, and the everyday usability of a folding form factor. Until Apple confirms a launch plan, IDC’s shipment figure should be treated as an informed scenario rather than a commitment.