The global foldable smartphone market has experienced its first decline since the segment was first tracked by analysts. Total shipments fell by 1% year-over-year, signaling a slight slowdown in growth. Despite this, Samsung maintained its leadership position, though its market share saw a significant decline, even with the launch of the highly anticipated Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 flagships.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi, Motorola, HONOR, and HUAWEI emerged as the major winners in the foldable market, showing substantial shipment growth compared to the same period last year. These companies have managed to gain significant ground, with their foldable offerings resonating well with consumers, especially in the increasingly competitive landscape.
Samsung’s Struggles Amidst Growing Competition
Despite dominating the foldable smartphone space for years, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 experienced modest sales, failing to make the same impact as its previous models. The Galaxy Z Flip6, meanwhile, underperformed compared to its predecessor, the Z Flip5, which had seen more robust sales. A key factor behind Samsung’s market share decline is the intensified competition from Motorola, Honor, and Xiaomi, all of which have been ramping up their foldable offerings at competitive price points.
Motorola, for instance, launched its Razr 50 and Razr 50 Ultra foldables, priced under $1,000, appealing to budget-conscious consumers. These devices have garnered strong attention for their competitive pricing and innovative designs, posing a real challenge to Samsung’s dominance in the foldable clamshell market. Similarly, HONOR introduced its Magic V3, an ultra-thin foldable, further increasing competition in the foldable segment.
Xiaomi and Huawei’s Impressive Gains
Xiaomi saw the most significant year-over-year growth in foldable shipments, driven by its Mix Flip—the company’s first foldable launched outside China. This expansion beyond its domestic market has paid off, positioning Xiaomi as a strong contender in the global foldable landscape.
On the other hand, HUAWEI saw growth largely within China, where it continued to sell its popular Mate X5 and Pocket 2 foldables. The Nova Flip and the Mate XT Ultimate, both recently launched, have also been well received, particularly in Huawei’s home market. However, these models are still unavailable internationally, limiting Huawei’s reach outside of China.
The Future of the Foldable Market
The global foldable smartphone market is clearly becoming more competitive, with Samsung facing mounting pressure from both established players like Motorola and newcomers like Xiaomi and Honor. While Samsung remains the leader, its shrinking market share indicates that it can no longer dominate the segment without adjusting to the growing competition. As more players enter the foldable space with affordable options and innovative designs, the market dynamics are shifting, and Samsung’s ability to maintain its lead will depend on how it adapts to this evolving landscape.
In summary, while foldable smartphone shipments declined slightly overall, companies like Xiaomi, Motorola, HONOR, and HUAWEI have made significant strides in capturing market share. As the foldable segment continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how the competition unfolds in the coming months, especially as new devices and innovations are expected to hit the market.
