Foldable smartphones in search of a savior: the market awaits Apple

Foldable smartphones, still recently considered the future of the mobile industry, are in crisis. According to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), shipments of foldable displays declined for the first time in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. And this isn’t a temporary downturn: the DSCC forecasts growth of just 5% in 2024, followed by a 4% decline in 2025. That’s a stark contrast to the growth rate, which reached 40% annually from 2019 to 2023.

An increase of 40% annually from 2019 to 2023.

Makers are leaving the market

With the shrinking demand for foldable devices, some companies have decided to exit the segment. Among them are budget brands such as Infinix, Itel and Tecno. However, it is particularly worrying that one of the big Chinese manufacturers might be leaving the market too. This could be either vivo or Oppo, part of BBK Electronics, which also owns brands such as OnePlus and Realme.

And it could be either vivo or Oppo, part of BBK Electronics, which also owns brands such as OnePlus and Realme.

Now, Samsung and Huawei remain the major players in the foldable smartphone market. However, even the leaders have problems. For example, display shipments for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 in 2024 are down 10% from the previous model. While demand for the device remains strong in Europe and Korea, it’s not strong enough in the U.S. and China.

And while demand for the device remains strong in Europe and Korea, it’s not strong enough in the U.S.

Samsung: a leader with challenges

Samsung remains the largest purchaser of foldable displays, but its market share has fallen from 52% in 2023 to 40% in 2024. Despite this, the company expects to recover to 50% in 2025, thanks to shipments growing by more than 20%. However, total foldable display shipments for Samsung fell by 20% in 2024, hitting its lowest since 2021.

Samsung’s total foldable display shipments fell by 20% in 2024, hitting their lowest since 2021.

Huawei, for its part, is increasing its share. The company has increased its display purchases from 18% in 2023 to 33% in 2024, despite a decline in shipments for its triple-folding Mate XT. This puts Huawei in second place in the market behind Samsung.

Huawei’s market share is growing.

Who ranks at the top

According to DSCC, the top 10 foldable smartphones in the third quarter of 2024 include:

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• Three models from Samsung, including the leader Galaxy Z Flip 6 with 31% share;
• Two models from Huawei and Motorola;
• One model each from Google, Honor and Xiaomi;

Will Apple save the market?

With the overall decline of the foldable segment, experts are pinning their hopes on Apple. DSCC predicts that the first foldable iPhone will appear in the second half of 2026, leading to market growth of a record 30% that year. This growth is expected to continue in 2027 and 2028 at 20% annually. Also in 2026, another company may release its triple folding smartphone.

Another company may release its triple folding smartphone in 2026.

The number of models on the market, however, continues to shrink. In 2024, there were 41, but in 2025, the DSCC predicts there will be just 32.

The DSCC also predicts there will be only 32.