Worldwide foldable smartphone shipments are expected to grow 29.7 percent in 2026 against expected 10 percent rise in 2025. The size of the foldable smartphone will be 20.6 million units in 2025, according to the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.
Foldable smartphone market will grow at 21 percent in 2027, 13.6 percent in 2028 and 9.3 percent in 2029.
New foldable smartphones from Apple and Samsung will play a major role in boosting demand, while other vendors prepare for intensified competition in this premium category. Below is a summary of the ten most important insights from IDC’s latest outlook.
1. Foldable shipments will rise to 20.6 million units in 2025
IDC projects a 10 percent rise in global foldable shipments in 2025 as vendors prepare major launches and consumers show stronger interest in next generation designs. The share of Android in foldable smartphone shipments will be 89 percent in 2025, 61 percent in 2026, 55 percent in 2027, 53 percent in 2028 and 52 percent in 2029.
2. New Apple foldable iPhone expected to transform the market
Apple’s first foldable iPhone, expected late 2025 or early 2026, is projected to spark massive consumer attention. IDC forecasts the device will take more than 22 percent of unit share in its first year.
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold to push early momentum in 2026
Samsung will introduce the Galaxy Z Trifold in Q1 2025, laying the foundation for stronger tri-fold adoption in 2026. The company is expected to use this launch to strengthen its leadership in the foldable category.
4. Foldable category growth for 2026 revised sharply upward
IDC expects foldable shipments to climb by 30 percent year on year in 2026, compared with 6 percent in the earlier forecast. Multiple vendor launches are driving this improved outlook.
5. Apple to account for more than one third of foldable market value
The high average price of Apple’s foldable iPhone, estimated at around $2400, will help Apple capture thirty four percent of total foldable market value in its first year. The share of iOS in foldable smartphone shipments will be 22 percent in 2026, 30 percent in 2027, 32 percent in 2028 and 34 percent in 2029.
6. Huawei foldables gaining momentum with HarmonyOS Next
Huawei is set for strong growth in 2026 as its HarmonyOS Next-based foldables gain wider acceptance in China. IDC expects Huawei’s foldable shipments to nearly double during the year. The share of HarmonyOS Next in foldable smartphone shipments will be 11 percent in 2025, 17 percent in 2026, 15 percent in 2027, 15 percent in 2028 and 14 percent in 2029.
7. Foldables becoming crucial for vendor differentiation
With traditional smartphone upgrades slowing, foldables are emerging as a key innovation path. Vendors see foldable and tri fold models as essential to encouraging replacements in a saturated market.
8. Premium positioning lifts average device selling prices
Foldables maintain selling prices roughly three times higher than typical smartphones. This makes the segment financially important even if shipment volumes remain smaller.
9. Rising consumer interest expected as awareness improves
Apple’s entry is seen as a turning point because it typically accelerates mainstream adoption of new device categories. Increased marketing and product diversity are also expected to support awareness.
10. Long term growth outlook remains strong
IDC forecasts the foldable market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of seventeen percent through 2029, far outpacing the traditional smartphone segment, which is expected to grow at under one percent.
Baburajan Kizhakedath