According to Counterpoint Research, Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market will be one of the factors driving an 18% increase in average sale prices in the category in 2026. In a recently released report , Counterpoint Research predicts that the average selling price of foldable smartphones will reach $1,485 in 2026, up 18% from 2025 and 29% from 2024. Counterpoint expects the average selling price of book-type foldables, the expected form-factor of the iPhone Fold (also rumored to be called iPhone Ultra), to continue rising, while clamshell models are projected to fall below their 2024 average. 9to5Mac is the main source layer for now, and the rest should be read as a signal that is still widening. On the device side, the useful angle is whether a technical change actually alters feel, lifespan, or upgrade cost in real use.
What is happening now
According to Counterpoint Research, Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market will be one of the factors driving an 18% increase in average sale prices in the category in 2026. 9to5Mac form the main source layer behind the core facts in this piece. This is still a developing thread, so the useful part is knowing which source signals are hardening and which ones still need caution. With devices, practical impact usually shows up in battery life, heat, stability, and long-term usability rather than in a few flashy headline numbers.
Where the sources line up
9to5Mac is the main source layer for now, and the rest should be read as a signal that is still widening. In a recently released report , Counterpoint Research predicts that the average selling price of foldable smartphones will reach $1,485 in 2026, up 18% from 2025 and 29% from 2024. 9to5Mac form the main source layer behind the core facts in this piece. With devices, practical impact usually shows up in battery life, heat, stability, and long-term usability rather than in a few flashy headline numbers. The readers who should care most are the ones planning to replace a device, buy an accessory, or upgrade a work setup in the next few months.
The details worth keeping
Counterpoint expects the average selling price of book-type foldables, the expected form-factor of the iPhone Fold (also rumored to be called iPhone Ultra), to continue rising, while clamshell models are projected to fall below their 2024 average. On the device side, the useful angle is whether a technical change actually alters feel, lifespan, or upgrade cost in real use.
Why this matters most
The signal is strong enough to deserve attention, but it still needs to be read as something developing rather than fully settled. With 1 source layers on the table, the part worth reading most closely is where firm facts meet the market's early reaction. The two main foldable form factors are moving in different directions. The next step is to see whether the current signals harden into a durable change or fade as a short-lived experiment. That is why the useful reading move is not to stop at the headline, but to compare the promise, the workflow change, and the likely cost before deciding anything.
What to watch next
The next readout is price, device coverage, and whether the change feels real once the hardware reaches users. Patrick Tech Media will keep checking rollout speed, user reaction, and how 9to5Mac update the next pieces. From 1 early signals, the piece keeps 1 references that are useful for locking the main details in place. That is why the useful reading move is not to stop at the headline, but to compare the promise, the workflow change, and the likely cost before deciding anything.