open_in_newOriginal article
Apple Stock Faces Pressure From Declining iPhone Revenue: Could Company's First Foldable Smartphone In 2026 Reverse Course?

Apple Stock Faces Pressure From Declining iPhone Revenue: Could Company's First Foldable Smartphone In 2026 Reverse Course?

  • 17.03.2025 22:30
  • benzinga.com
  • Keywords: Foldable Phone, Market Analysis

Apple faces declining iPhone revenue, with a 2026 foldable smartphone seen as a potential recovery tool. Analysts predict this move could attract investors and boost sales, helping Apple compete in the tech market.

Apple NewsApple ReportsAAPLsentiment_dissatisfiedGOOGLsentiment_neutralMSIsentiment_neutral

Estimated market influence

Apple Inc

Apple Inc

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

The article discusses Apple's declining iPhone revenue and their potential foldable smartphone release in 2026, which could impact their market position.

Jeff Pu

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Analyst Jeff Pu predicts that Apple's foldable phone will help recover their smartphone sales by 2026.

Ming-Chi Kuo

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also expects Apple to release a foldable iPhone in 2026, contributing to potential recovery.

Tim Cook

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: N/A

CEO Tim Cook discussed the possibility of a foldable iPhone back in 2018, indicating it's a key priority for Apple's future.

Samsung Electronics

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: N/A

Competitor Samsung has already released foldable phones, setting the stage for Apple's potential entry into this market.

Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc.

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: Buy

Google, part of Alphabet Inc., is another competitor with existing foldable phone offerings.

Motorola

Motorola

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: Buy

Motorola has also released foldable phones, positioning itself as a competitor in this space.

Context

Business Insights and Market Implications

Revenue Decline

  • iPhone revenue: Decreased from $69.7 billion to $69.1 billion YoY.
  • New product strategy: Apple launched the more affordable iPhone 16e to boost sales.

Foldable iPhone Development

  • Release timeframe: First foldable iPhone expected in 2026, according to GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu.
  • Production status: At least one foldable device is on track for mass production in H2 2026.
  • Internal prioritization: Tim Cook discussed a foldable iPhone with engineers as early as 2018, signaling its importance.

Market Position

  • Competitive landscape: Apple joins competitors like Samsung, Google, and Motorola in the foldable smartphone market.
  • Market potential: Foldables currently make up a small percentage of the global smartphone market but could indicate demand for innovative features.

Strategic Considerations

  • Consumer appeal: Foldable devices may attract premium customers seeking larger screens and advanced functionality.
  • AI integration: Apple’s focus on AI features in newer iPhones highlights the potential for enhanced device capabilities.

Financial Performance

  • Stock price: Apple stock closed at $214, up 0.24%, with a 52-week range of $164.08 to $260.09.
  • Year-to-date performance: Down 12.2% in 2025 but up 23.2% over the last year.

Long-term Effects

  • Potential recovery: Foldable devices could help Apple recover from declining iPhone sales and regain market momentum.
  • Consumer behavior: The success of foldables may influence long-term trends in device design and usage patterns.

Regulatory Considerations

  • No explicit mention of regulatory impacts in the text, but industry dynamics may shape future compliance strategies.