Foldable smartphones continue to command high prices primarily due to the complexity of their manufacturing processes. The two key components that contribute to the cost are large flexible OLED panels and advanced hinge mechanisms, which are difficult and costly to produce. Since their introduction, especially with Samsung's first Galaxy Fold seven years ago, prices have remained high, with Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone set to reinforce this trend when it launches in September 2026.
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Samsung is currently a dominant player in the foldable phone market, having launched its Galaxy Z Fold7 in July 2025 at a price of USD 1,999 for the 256GB version, and USD 2,499 for the 1TB model. The Galaxy Z Flip7 started at USD 1,099, while the budget-friendly Flip7 FE was introduced at USD 899. Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Z TriFold in December 2025, priced at approximately USD 2,500 in South Korea and USD 2,899 in the United States, marking it as the company’s most expensive phone to date.
Huawei leads in pricing with its Mate XT, which started at CNY 19,999 (around USD 2,809) in China and later expanded internationally at around 3,499 euros (approximately USD 3,660). Its other foldable, the Mate X7, was priced at roughly CNY 12,999 (USD 1,830) domestically and 2,099 euros in Europe. Xiaomi offers more affordable options in China, with the Mix Fold 4 priced at CNY 8,999 (around USD 1,237), but its products are less accessible globally.
Apple's entry into the foldable space is highly anticipated, especially after its announcement on September 9, 2026. Analysts estimate this device will launch between USD 2,099 and USD 2,299, with some speculating it could go as low as USD 1,800 to USD 2,000 due to Apple's buying power. However, early production issues might result in limited availability well into 2027.
Key cost factors for foldable smartphones include the sophistication of their displays and hinges. The inner display subsystem of the Galaxy Z Fold5 has been valued at USD 121.99, compared to about USD 84.40 for the flat AMOLED panel of the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Additionally, the hinge mechanism for these devices, which is more intricate than those in traditional smartphones, contributes significantly to the final price.
Despite the buzz, foldable phones remain a niche market, with global shipments around 13.5 million in 2022 and a projected growth to approximately 20.6 million in 2025, representing only about 1.6% of the total smartphone market. Samsung continued to dominate this space, capturing 64% of foldable shipments in Q3 2025, although competition is emerging, particularly from Huawei.
The pricing trends show some mixed signals; while entry-level foldables are becoming cheaper, high-end models are escalating in price. For a meaningful reduction in costs, improvements in manufacturing yields, more competition among suppliers, and an increase in overall sales volume will be essential to push prices down from their current luxury-tier status.