According to Counterpoint Research’s latest Global Foldable Smartphone Tracker and Forecast, foldable smartphone shipments are expected to reach 101.5 million in 2027, up from 78.6 million in 2026.
“Currently, foldables remain a niche product. However, it is an important segment for brands that want to maintain leadership in innovation and a presence in the premium market,” said Tom Kang, research director at Counterpoint Research.
Samsung and Apple may dominate the market
The market research firm predicts that Samsung and Apple will hold the largest market share, with Samsung taking the top position and Apple coming in a close second.
“Samsung and Chinese OEMs have been extremely active, especially in their domestic markets, with China emerging as the largest market globally last year. If you want to succeed in the foldables market, you have to succeed there,” added Kang.
The report also stated that foldable smartphones will account for 39% of all smartphone shipments in 2027. While Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 smartphones, Apple has yet to announce any plans for a foldable iPhone.
“In the long term, we are waiting to see what Apple does. We are looking at 2025 as the possible year for the debut of the foldable iPhone, which could further drive growth in this segment,” noted senior analyst Jene Park.
Foldable smartphone shipments in Q1
A recent report by Counterpoint Research revealed that the global foldable smartphone market experienced a 64% year-on-year increase in Q1 2023, with sell-in volume reaching 2.5 million units. This growth is significant considering the overall global smartphone market declined 14.2% year-on-year during the same period.
“When we consider the current consumer response, our latest Global Foldable Smartphone Preference Survey shows that the majority of respondents, especially current users, are willing to purchase foldable smartphones. This indicates that the hype around foldables is genuine,” added Park.