This year, Samsung Electronics' global market share in the foldable phone segment is expected to drop by about 10 percentage points compared to last year.
Taiwan's market research firm TrendForce reported on the 22nd that global shipments of foldable phones are expected to reach 19.8 million units this year, forecasting that Samsung Electronics' market share will fall from 45.2% last year to 35.4% this year.
TrendForce noted that "Samsung, which leads the foldable institutional sector, has recently launched its next-generation flagship model, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, achieving significant improvements in hinge design, crease visibility, and form factor," but added that "intensifying competition with other brands is weakening its dominance."
It continued, "Huawei is expected to maintain its strength in the Chinese market and capture second place in the global market with a market share of 34.3% this year," and "the market shares of Honor and Lenovo (Motorola) are expected to rise from 6% and 5.5% last year to 9.1% and 7.6% this year."
Xiaomi is expected to increase its market share from 3% last year to 5.1% this year, while other brands such as Oppo and Vivo are projected to account for a combined 8.5%.
TrendForce also projected that there could be changes in the market landscape when Apple releases its first foldable phone in the second half of next year.
The report states that "Apple's product is expected to feature a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal display," and "Apple's entry is expected to significantly enhance consumer interest and acceptance of foldable phones, particularly among high-end users."
It added, "Apple's debut in 2026 is seen as a turning point that will drive the popularization of foldable phones and infuse new vitality into the overall smartphone industry."