Global Foldable Smartphone Shipments Expected to Exceed 100 Million by 2026

The entry of Apple into the market and increasing demand for book-type devices from Samsung and Huawei are anticipated to drive higher demand. In 2027, global shipments are expected to rise by 37% year-over-year. Based on this growth, analysts forecast that the foldable market will reach another 100 million cumulative shipments within three years thereafter.

Currently, foldable devices represent only about 2% of the overall smartphone market, indicating ample opportunity for growth. Samsung is leading innovation in the foldable segment, while Huawei remains a significant player in China with a variety of designs. Apple is expected to attract a new premium user base with its forthcoming foldable device. Other brands, such as Xiaomi, Motorola, HONOR, Google, vivo, and OPPO, are also reported to be developing new foldable models, including wider-format options.

The surge in activity is likely to accelerate the foldable market in 2027, with additional global shipments forecast to increase by another 37% year-over-year. A full year of sales from Apple is expected to be a major contributor, as its shipments could more than double, resulting in an estimated market share of 40%. The shift toward wider book-type designs will likely continue, fueled by strong initial responses to devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 and Huawei’s Pura X Max.

“Apple’s entry will surely increase competition at the premium end. However, foldables are still a very small part of the overall smartphone market, so there is plenty of space for growth,” stated Research Director Tarun Pathak. He noted that Samsung is driving innovation, Huawei is maintaining its strength in China, and more manufacturers are preparing new designs.

Counterpoint anticipates that Apple could ship up to 6 million foldable iPhones in 2026, potentially giving the company a 25% share of the global market and positioning it at No. 2, behind Samsung's 38% and ahead of Huawei's 22%. This swift ascension would highlight Apple’s impact on the category, especially considering the limited selling window this year.

Initial production volumes for Apple's first foldable iPhone are expected to be constrained, which positions the upper end of the 2026 shipment forecast at 6 million units. Even with this brief selling period, Apple’s entry is set to capture a notable share of the market. Associate Director Liz Lee commented on the anticipated limited supply during the early production phase but underscored the significance of Apple entering the foldable market.

Going forward, the key differentiator for the foldable market will be the user experience, which is expected to help drive category growth and the emergence of new use cases catering to both productivity and content consumption. Despite current price points being approximately three times higher than traditional smartphones, mass-market adoption of foldables is anticipated to take several more years.