Apple Falls 0.4% Pre-Market as First Foldable iPhone Duo Goes on Sale; IDC Expects 2027 Global Lead in Shipments and Sales

TradingKey - Apple (AAPL)'s first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, officially went on sale on October 23, with a starting price of $1,999.

Market research firm IDC projects that Apple will rank first in both shipments and sales revenue in the global foldable smartphone market by 2027. Whether the new product can drive high-end iPhone sales growth and provide new support for Apple's stock price has become a key focus for investors.

In pre-market trading on October 23 ET, Apple shares were down 0.41% as of press time.

[Source: TradingView]

iPhone Duo Goes on Sale as Foldable Market Welcomes New Competitor

The iPhone Duo features a book-style foldable design equipped with a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen, starting at $1,999. Apple aims to attract users seeking a premium experience through large-screen usability, app adaptation, and hardware-software integration.

After pre-orders opened on October 16, estimated delivery times for some orders were pushed back to January 2027, reflecting an initial supply-demand gap. However, delivery delays could be linked to strong demand or constrained initial production capacity, and evaluating market performance will still require monitoring subsequent sales figures, supply improvements, and consumer feedback.

IDC Bullish on Apple's 2027 Market Position

IDC projects that Apple will account for 31% of global foldable smartphone shipments and 44% of market revenue in 2026; by 2027, its shipment and revenue shares are expected to rise to 40% and 52%, respectively, with both metrics poised to rank first globally.

This forecast reflects Apple's potential advantage in the premium market. Foldable smartphones carry higher price tags, so even if sales volume is lower than that of traditional iPhones, as long as product pricing and the sales mix remain stable, they could still generate substantial revenue for Apple.

However, Apple still needs to address issues such as initial supply, foldable screen durability, and app adaptation. Whether the product can generate sustained demand will determine whether its market share meets expectations.

AAPL Stock Price Outlook: Focus on Foldable Screen Sales and Profit Contribution

In the short term, the launch of the iPhone Duo brings new growth prospects to Apple, but stock price performance will still depend on actual demand, supply progress, and market expectations. Delivery times for some pre-orders have already been extended to early 2027, though initial supply constraints may magnify this phenomenon, and actual sales volume and capacity improvements will still need to be monitored going forward.

In the medium term, investors should focus on three key metrics: first, the sales volume and delivery cycles of the iPhone Duo; second, the new product's contribution to the iPhone's average selling price (ASP) and overall revenue; and third, changes in manufacturing costs and gross margin to assess whether incremental sales can translate into profit.

IDC projects that Apple is poised to rank first in both shipments and sales value in the global foldable smartphone market by 2027. However, whether this market ranking forecast comes to fruition still depends on consumer acceptance, supply capabilities, and the competitive landscape.

For AAPL, foldable products offer a new growth opportunity, but future stock price performance will still need to be validated by sales data and earnings performance.