The Galaxy Z Fold 7 impressed many with its comprehensive upgrades, becoming Samsung's fastest-selling foldable device to date. Meanwhile, anticipation builds around the upcoming foldable iPhone, rumored to feature a battery capacity exceeding 5,000 mAh. Although the iPhone Fold is expected to lag behind the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in raw specifications, Apple’s influence in the foldable market could still prove dominant. In this landscape, specs alone may not dictate success, and Samsung might not need to worry about the battery size on the iPhone Fold.
Superiority Doesn’t Guarantee Market Leadership
Take the Galaxy S25 Ultra for example — it boasts top-tier features, but several Chinese competitors offer bigger batteries, faster charging, and sometimes even better performance. Yet, many consumers remain loyal to the Galaxy brand, valuing it beyond just numbers on a spec sheet.
The foldable segment mirrors this trend. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is formidable, but devices like the Honor Magic V5 showcase better battery life and a slimmer design without compromising on other specs. Despite this, Honor falls short of leading the European foldable market.
Similarly, Huawei’s range — including the Mate X6, tri-fold Mate XT, and the innovative Pura X — doesn’t match the performance of flagship Snapdragon-powered competitors. Nevertheless, Huawei dominates China’s foldable market, holding nearly 70% share. This clearly illustrates that superior specs aren’t the only factor for success.
Apple’s Foldables: Poised for a Strong Entrance
Apple’s entry into foldables doesn’t hinge on outperforming Samsung’s offerings on paper. The simple availability of an iPhone Fold will trigger enthusiasm among loyal fans and the broader market alike. While having features that surpass the Galaxy Z Fold 8 wouldn’t hurt, it’s not essential for Apple to capture attention and sales.
One of Apple’s likely key advantages is battery life. If the iPhone Fold can reliably last a full day, it will hold a compelling selling point. This factor, combined with Apple's brand power, ensures the new foldable could outsell even Samsung’s flagship device despite less impressive raw specifications.
Ultimately, the iPhone Fold doesn’t have to outsell Apple's flagship models like the iPhone 18 or 18 Pro to be considered a success. Simply surpassing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in sales would be a significant achievement and reshape the foldable smartphone landscape.
