Market research firm Display Supply Chain has published a new report on the state of the foldable smartphone market (via 9to5mac). According to the report, growth has slowed slightly faster than expected in 2024, with an expected decline in 2025.
After the explosive growth in demand for foldable smartphones over the past three years, which reached double-digit percentages, growth is expected to reach just five percent in 2024 and even decline by four percent next year. For the first time since observations began, orders for foldable displays fell. The decline was 38 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024, and this negative trend is expected to continue in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Display Supply Chain cites the lack of competition in the market and the inability of manufacturers to tap the market potential of other regions as reasons for this trend. Two major manufacturers currently dominate the foldable smartphone market: Samsung and Huawei. Google, Honor and Motorola are not yet realistic competitors.
The latest models from the two largest manufacturers, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Mate X6, as well as the Pocket 3, have disappointed at market launch. Huawei has also slightly delayed the release of the Mate X6, which complicates matters. Display Supply Chain notes that foldable smartphones have only captured the markets in Europe and Korea; Neither China nor the US are on the list of the largest buyers.
According to Display Supply Chain, the only hope for foldable smartphones is Apple, which is expected to present its first foldable smartphone in 2026. Any innovation in form factor, functionality or sustainability is expected to revive user interest and reinvigorate the market. DSCC believes Apple will unveil its foldable smartphone in the second half of 2026, the usual time for the iPhone’s launch.
Editorial opinion
Rumors about the iPhone Fold have been circulating for several years, actually since competitors introduced their own models. Why Apple has still not presented a foldable iPhone can be explained by the numbers.
The two main manufacturers, Samsung and Huawei, share a market of only 20 million devices sold in the last two years. Apple works with different order volumes: Cupertino likes to order 90 million devices for the traditionally strongest fourth quarter of each year, which are sold over the counter.
If you’re considering a foldable phone, check out our top recommendations in our roundup of the best foldable phones.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and adapted from German.