Global foldable smartphone shipments are poised to surge more than 22% this year to top 22 million units, driven by a wave of new wide-format designs from Samsung Electronics and Huawei and the anticipated entry of Apple into the category, according to new research from Omdia. The rebound comes despite a sharp contraction in the first half of the year, when shipments fell 21.6% year over year to 5.1 million units.

The market research firm sees the category nearly doubling from 18.2 million units in 2025 to 36 million units by 2028, and reaching 45 million units by 2030. Even so, foldables are expected to remain a premium niche, accounting for less than 3% of total smartphone shipments at the end of the decade.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half of 2026 was brutal for the category. Flip-style devices bore the brunt of the decline, with shipments plunging 47% compared with the same period a year earlier. Book-type foldables fared far better, holding roughly flat and expanding their share of total foldable volume to 69%. Samsung and Huawei together accounted for 75% of book-type shipments during the period.

Omdia attributes the expected second-half inflection to the arrival of wide-format book-style foldables. These devices feature shorter, wider displays that unfold to approach tablet dimensions while reducing bulk and weight compared with earlier designs. Huawei introduced its Pura X Max in May, and Samsung followed with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in early August. Other major Android brands are expected to launch similar products in the coming months.

“In a year marked by ongoing supply chain constraints and market uncertainty, foldable smartphones stand out as the industry’s most notable growth segment,” said Zaker Li, a senior analyst at Omdia. “As other major players introduce similar devices in the coming months, they will help drive a new wave of growth in the foldable market.”

Major smartphone makers have already raised production targets for wide-format foldables this year, and Omdia expects more Android vendors to adopt the form factor in 2027.

Apple’s Foldable Debut Looms

Apple is widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone around September or October, potentially under the “iPhone Ultra” name. The company has not confirmed the product or its official branding. Industry leaks point to a book-style design with a roughly 7.6 to 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, powered by an A20 Pro chip and featuring a dual-cell battery. Pricing estimates start around $2,000 and could exceed $2,300.

Reports suggest Apple may stagger the rollout, launching first in the United States before expanding to Europe, Australia, and the UK over several months, a strategy reminiscent of the Vision Pro headset. Suppliers have reportedly been told to prepare for roughly 10 million foldable iPhone units in 2026, up from earlier estimates of 7 to 8 million, according to a Nikkei report cited by market sources.

Apple’s entry is expected to have an outsized impact in markets like Japan, where foldable penetration remains low. MM Research Institute projects Japan’s foldable smartphone shipments will jump 130% to 760,000 units in fiscal 2026, ending March 2027, and surpass one million units the following year. By fiscal 2030, the firm expects Japanese foldable shipments to reach 1.53 million units, more than four times the fiscal 2025 level.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive dynamics in foldables have been shifting. Samsung held a 41.3% global share in 2025 with 7.1 million units, followed by Huawei at 33.7% with 5.8 million units and Motorola at 8.7% with 1.5 million units, according to MM Research Institute data. In Japan, Samsung dominated with a 67.7% share of the foldable segment in fiscal 2025, ahead of Motorola at 18.9%, Google at 6.9%, and ZTE at 6.6%.

The broader smartphone market, however, is under pressure. Counterpoint Research reported this week that second-quarter shipments in Europe fell 10% year over year to a three-year low, with Apple and Samsung each holding 34% of the market. In Latin America, Q2 shipments also declined 10%, though Apple and Samsung were the only major brands to post growth, up 5% and 6%, respectively. Apple led the region’s premium segment above $600 with a 51% share.

In China, smartphone sales contracted 8.6% year over year during the first 30 weeks of 2026, with double-digit declines returning after the 618 shopping festival. In India, sales fell 14% during weeks 14 through 31, though Apple bucked the trend with a 15% increase driven by sustained demand for the iPhone 17 series.

Structural Constraints Persist

Despite the growth trajectory, foldables face structural limitations. High component costs for large displays, hinges, and specialized glass keep bill-of-materials expenses elevated. Consumer concerns around camera performance and repair costs further constrain adoption.

Omdia expects the category to remain positioned as a premium offering rather than a mass-market product through at least 2030. The firm’s forecast of 45 million units that year would still represent less than 3% of total smartphone shipments globally.

Metric20252026 (Forecast)2028 (Forecast)2030 (Forecast)Global foldable shipments18.2 million22 million+36 million45 millionShare of total smartphone market~1.4%N/AN/A<3%

Note: 2025 global foldable shipment figures vary slightly by research firm. Omdia cites 18.2 million units; MM Research Institute cites 17.2 million units.

For consumers, the next 18 months will bring the broadest foldable lineup ever offered. Samsung is reportedly planning to expand its foldable portfolio from three to five models, including a second-generation trifold device and an Ultra variant positioned for productivity. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has already captured 70% of Samsung’s foldable sales and prompted the company to boost production by one million units, according to market reports.

Whether Apple’s debut accelerates the category or simply reshuffles share among premium buyers remains an open question. What is clear is that foldables are emerging from their first-half slump with renewed momentum, propelled by a design shift toward wider, more practical form factors and the long-awaited arrival of the world’s most valuable smartphone brand.