The foldable smartphone market experienced modest growth in 2024, with shipments rising only 2.9 percent year-over-year, according to Counterpoint Research.
Despite strong individual performances from several OEMs, overall market expansion was hindered by challenges such as Samsung’s struggles in Q4 due to political instability and OPPO’s decision to scale back production of its more affordable clamshell foldables. These setbacks contributed to an overall slower-than-expected growth trajectory for the segment.
2025 is projected to be an even more challenging year, with Counterpoint forecasting the first-ever year of negative growth for the foldable smartphone market. Analysts suggest that this decline should not be interpreted as a sign of stagnation but rather as a period of consolidation before a significant rebound in 2026.
The anticipated entry of Apple into the foldable smartphone segment, along with an influx of new clamshell models, is expected to reinvigorate the market, leading to a resurgence in demand. This shift aligns with insights from Counterpoint’s Foldable and Rollable Display Shipment and Technology Report, which forecasts a mid-double-digit increase in panel procurement, indicating a strong pipeline for future foldable device production.
2024
Google’s foldable smartphone market share grew by 13 percent in 2024, while the “Others” category is seeing a massive surge of 155 percent.
The foldable smartphone market share of Oppo, however, declined significantly by 72 percent. Vivo has achieved growth of 23 percent in foldable smartphone market share.
Xiaomi has expanded its foldable smartphone market presence by 108 percent. Honor is also seeing substantial growth at 106 percent.
Motorola is leading the growth trend with a 253 percent increase in foldable smartphone market share.
Huawei’s foldable smartphone market share rose by 54 percent. In contrast, Samsung’s foldable smartphone market share declined by 33 percent, reflecting challenges it faced in maintaining its dominance in the foldable smartphone sector.
Industry experts believe that the supply chain trends suggest that manufacturers are actively preparing for an upcoming transformation in the foldable smartphone segment, which requires careful planning and investment.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
