New Delhi, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : A recent report indicates that global shipments of foldable smartphones are projected to exceed 100 million units by the end of 2026. This milestone marks a significant achievement for a market that has seen its first commercially available foldable devices launch just eight years ago.
According to Counterpoint Research, shipments of foldable smartphones are expected to grow by 37 percent annually in 2027. This surge is largely attributed to Apple’s entry into the market and the increasing demand for wider-screen, book-type foldable devices from Samsung and other manufacturers.
Currently, foldable smartphones account for only about 2 percent of the total global smartphone market. This suggests substantial growth potential for this segment in the coming years.
Apple is anticipated to ship around 6 million foldable iPhones in 2026, which could give it a 25 percent share of the global foldable smartphone market, positioning the company as the second-largest player after Samsung, which is expected to maintain a market share of approximately 38 percent.
The report notes that initial sales of Apple’s foldable devices may be more affected by supply constraints than demand, as production capacity is expected to be limited in the early stages. However, as production ramps up, the availability of foldable iPhones across various regions is expected to gradually increase.
Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint, stated, “Apple’s entry will undoubtedly heighten competition in the premium segment. However, foldable smartphones still represent a very small portion of the overall smartphone market, indicating significant room for growth in this category.”
The report further suggests that Apple’s foldable smartphone shipments could more than double by 2027, potentially increasing its market share to 40 percent. Counterpoint Research also predicts that the next 10 million units of cumulative shipments could be achieved within three years. However, it cautions that foldable smartphones remain significantly more expensive than traditional models, often costing up to three times as much, which may delay widespread consumer adoption for several more years.
Leave a Comment