All analysts have their eyes on the much-anticipated launch of Apple’s iPhone 18 series and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup. But other smartphone manufacturers, including Honor, Motorola, Oppo, Poco and Xiaomi will launch new devices equipped with artificial intelligence-based functions. This makes 2026 a year of fierce competition and diversity of choice for consumers across all segments of the smartphone industry.
iPhone Fold (Forecast: 2026)
2026 could be the year that Apple sells its first foldable iPhone, but rumors in the international media suggest that the price could be around $2,400, which would make it the most expensive foldable phone on the market.
Instead of aiming for the slimmest possible design, Apple will prioritize long-term reliability and app optimization for the larger indoor screen.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold (expected for early 2026)
Samsung has already introduced the Galaxy Z TriFold, the tech giant’s first triple-folding phone. However, the global launch is still awaited, with it expected to be in 2026. What do we know about this phone, apart from the fact that it is tri-foldable? It has a huge 10-inch screen when unfolded, measures 3.9mm, has a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a 200MP rear camera.
iPhone 18 series (expected for September 2026)
The highlight of the year for Apple will still be the iPhone 18 lineup. This time, the company could change the usual formula. Rumors suggest that Apple may ditch the standard model and focus only on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a redesigned successor to the iPhone Air. The series is expected to debut with the A20 Bionic chip, with a stronger focus on in-device AI, increased efficiency and improvements to camera processing.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series (Forecast: Early 2026)
Samsung could launch the flagship series earlier with the Galaxy S26 range in late January or early February. After experiencing a model shake-up this year, reports suggest that Samsung will return to a familiar strategy with three phones: the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra. What will be better are the camera improvements and AI features. Under the hood, these models should be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Exynos 2600 will appear in certain regions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 (Forecast: Mid 2026)
The TriFold might not be far off, but that doesn’t mean Samsung is slowing down when it comes to other foldable devices. The regular Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 models are expected to launch later in mid-2026. This time, they are expected to focus on the form factor, hinge durability, slimmer design and better battery efficiency.
Google Pixel 11 Series (Predicted: August 2026)
Google’s Pixel 11 lineup is expected to arrive in the second half of the year, just like previous models. Leaks suggest that the Pixel 11 series could include the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, to which a new Pixel Fold variant could be added. However, the focus is expected to be on photography, AI features and a next-generation Tensor chip paired with a new MediaTek modem.
Motorola Razr series (Forecast: mid-year)
Last year, the Motorola Razr Ultra maintained its lead over the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, but it cost $1,300, which is $200 more than the base model Z Flip 7. At this price, the Razr Ultra offered the best flip phone experience in 2025. However, Motorola needs to work on long-term software support and improve camera processing on the next-gen Razr phones, according to Cnet.
So far, there haven’t been many concrete leaks and rumors regarding the Motorola Razr 2026 lineup. You can still expect the upcoming lineup to have three models: Razr 2026, Razr Plus (2026), and Razr Ultra (2026). They will vary mainly based on chipset performance, screen size, price and optics. Based on Motorola’s past releases, you can expect at least one Razr 2026 model to be announced in late spring/early summer 2026.
