A forecast says the average selling price (ASP) of global foldable smartphones will rise sharply this year.
Global market research firm Counterpoint Research on the 1st released its "Foldable smartphone market outlook report" and projected that this year's wholesale average selling price of global foldable smartphones will rise 18% from a year earlier.
Apple's entry into the foldable market is expected to reinforce the rise in foldable smartphone prices. Apple will roll out its first foldable product in the second half of this year. Counterpoint Research said, "This will help foldable smartphones establish themselves as a high value-added product group within the smartphone market."
An expanding shipment share of book-type foldables that open left and right is another factor driving up overall foldable smartphone prices. Book-type foldables command the top price tier with larger displays, improved hinges, high-capacity batteries, and enhanced cameras. In contrast, clamshell foldables, also called flip models, are trending cheaper as more brands enter the market and expand production.
Sales share by price band is also skewing toward premium models, and products priced at $1,600 (about 2.48 million won) or higher are forecast to account for up to 60% of total shipments this year.
Counterpoint Research said, "As agent-based artificial intelligence (AI) evolves, users have come to need larger screens to review information, compare results, and manage multiple instructions at the same time," adding, "Large displays not only make it easier to check AI-generated outputs and track ongoing tasks, but also help maintain the context of work when switching between email, calendar, and messaging apps."