Apple (AAPL.O) is due to launch its first foldable iPhone in September; despite
a possible launch price near $2,500, IDC expects first-year shipments to exceed
10 mln and to re-accelerate the foldable-phone market. IDC projects global
foldable-phone shipments up 12.6% this year and 18% next year, and estimates
Apple will capture 40% of global foldable shipments by 2027. IDC also forecasts
the overall global smartphone market will contract a record 16.7% this year due
to rising component prices and supply constraints, saying the era of cheap
smartphones is over.
