Group 1 - The global foldable smartphone shipment is expected to grow by 14% year-on-year in Q3 2025, reaching a historical high for the category, with foldable devices now accounting for 2.5% of global smartphone shipments [1] - The market expansion is driven by the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Huawei Mate series, with book-style models leading the growth, while clamshell models also perform well due to Samsung's refreshed product line and the strong performance of the Motorola Razr60 series [1] - Samsung's Galaxy Z series, particularly the Z Fold7, has significantly enhanced its appeal in the high-end market due to its thinner body, lighter weight, more durable hinge, and less visible crease, contributing to unexpected growth [1] Group 2 - The foldable smartphone market is projected to close 2025 with a stable growth rate of around 16% year-on-year, driven by high-end users' preference for larger screens and improved durability [4] - The market is expected to enter a significant expansion phase in 2026, with key drivers including enhanced durability, thinner and lighter designs, optimized hinge and panel structures, and richer AI-driven software experiences [4] - Apple is anticipated to enter the foldable market in the second half of 2026, leveraging its large iPhone user base to drive a new round of high-end product upgrades [4] Group 3 - The competition landscape is expected to change significantly with Apple's entry into the foldable market, prompting existing manufacturers to accelerate their technological advancements and product differentiation strategies [4] - A notable trend is the gradual move away from traditional book-style designs in foldable smartphones, with Huawei's early multi-fold solutions demonstrating engineering feasibility and Samsung's new tri-fold product marking a shift from concept to practical testing [4][5] - Samsung's first tri-fold model will have limited shipments, focusing on validating durability, hinge structure, and software optimization before larger-scale commercialization [5]

Core Insights - The global foldable smartphone shipment volume reached a record high in Q3 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 14%, driven primarily by the strong performance of Samsung's Galaxy Z7 series [4][5]. Market Performance - In Q3 2025, foldable smartphones accounted for 2.5% of global smartphone shipments, indicating a growing acceptance in the high-end market [5]. - The book-style foldable models led market expansion, supported by the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 and Huawei's Mate series [5]. - The clamshell foldable models also performed well, benefiting from Samsung's refreshed product line and the strong showing of Motorola's Razr 60 series [5]. Future Projections - The foldable smartphone market is expected to close 2025 with a year-on-year growth of around 16%, maintaining a stable growth trajectory [8]. - By 2026, the market is anticipated to enter a significant expansion phase, driven by improvements in durability, thinner and lighter designs, and enhanced AI-driven software experiences [8]. - Apple is expected to enter the foldable market in the second half of 2026, potentially triggering a new upgrade cycle among high-end users [8][9]. Competitive Landscape - The competition in the foldable smartphone market is set to intensify with Apple's entry, prompting existing manufacturers to accelerate their technological advancements and product differentiation strategies [8][10]. - Samsung's recent launch of the Galaxy Z TriFold is a strategic pilot aimed at solidifying its technological leadership before broader commercialization [9][10].

Core Insights - The global foldable smartphone shipment is expected to grow by 14% year-on-year in Q3 2025, reaching a historical high of 2.5% of total smartphone shipments [1][6] - Lenovo's Motorola has emerged as a key player in the clamshell foldable segment, with a 16% increase in shipments, securing a position among the top three globally [1][3] - Vivo has also seen a significant increase in shipments, rising by 67% [1] Company Performance - Lenovo's Motorola has effectively expanded its foldable smartphone user base through competitive pricing, strong channel partnerships, and positive product usability ratings [3] - In the US and European markets, Motorola has achieved a breakthrough in market share, competing effectively against established players like Samsung and Honor [3][6] - The Razr 60 model leads the market with a 15% share, and when combined with the Razr 50, the total share reaches approximately 27%, comparable to last year's champion model [5] Market Trends - The foldable smartphone market is projected to close 2025 with a stable growth rate of around 16% year-on-year, driven by high-end users seeking larger screens for productivity and durability [6] - The market is expected to enter a significant expansion phase in 2026, influenced by improvements in durability, thinner and lighter designs, optimized hinge and panel structures, and enhanced AI-driven software experiences [6] - Lenovo is actively promoting its "one body, multiple ends" strategy, launching various AI smartphone products to capture more market share, which will be crucial for competition in the foldable and overall smartphone markets [6]

Core Insights - The global foldable smartphone market is projected to see a 14% year-on-year increase in shipments by Q3 2025, reaching a historical quarterly high for this category [1] - Samsung leads the market with a 64% share in Q3, experiencing a 32% increase in shipments compared to the previous year [1][3] - Huawei holds the second position with a 15% market share, growing by 10% year-on-year, while Motorola ranks third with a 7% share and a 16% increase [1][3] Market Performance - The foldable smartphone segment now accounts for 2.5% of global smartphone shipments, driven by the popularity of book-style models and the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 and Huawei's Mate series [3] - The Galaxy Z Fold7's features, such as a thinner body and improved durability, have significantly enhanced its appeal in the high-end market, contributing to unexpected growth [3] - Motorola's competitive pricing and strong channel partnerships have effectively expanded its user base in the foldable segment [3] Future Projections - Counterpoint Research anticipates a 16% year-on-year growth for the foldable market by the end of 2025, with high-end users increasingly favoring larger screens for productivity [4] - The market is expected to enter a significant expansion phase in 2026, driven by improvements in durability, thinner designs, and enhanced AI-driven software experiences [4] - Apple is expected to enter the foldable market in the second half of 2026, leveraging its large iPhone user base to initiate a new high-end product upgrade cycle [4] Competitive Landscape - The importance of technological innovation is increasing as existing manufacturers accelerate the development of multi-form factor products in anticipation of Apple's entry [5] - Companies are focusing on enhancing their technological leadership and product differentiation strategies, with foldable designs evolving beyond traditional book-style formats [5] - Samsung's upcoming tri-fold device is positioned as a pilot product to validate durability and software optimization before larger-scale commercialization [5]

Core Insights - The global foldable smartphone market is projected to see a 14% year-on-year increase in shipments by Q3 2025, reaching a historical high for the category [1] - Samsung leads the market with a 64% share in Q3, showing a 32% increase compared to the same period last year [1] - Huawei holds the second position with a 15% market share, growing by 10% year-on-year [1] - Motorola ranks third with a 7% share, experiencing a 16% increase [1] - Vivo and Xiaomi follow in fourth and fifth places, with Vivo showing a significant growth of 67%, while Xiaomi's shipments declined by 54% year-on-year [1] Market Trends - Foldable smartphones now account for 2.5% of global smartphone shipments, driven by the popularity of book-style models and the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 and Huawei's Mate series [3] - The Galaxy Z series, particularly the Z Fold7, has enhanced its appeal in the high-end market due to its thinner design, lighter weight, and improved durability [3] - Motorola's competitive pricing and strong channel partnerships have effectively expanded its user base in the foldable segment [3] Future Projections - The foldable smartphone market is expected to close 2025 with a stable growth rate of around 16% year-on-year [4] - By 2026, the market is anticipated to enter a significant expansion phase, driven by improvements in durability, thinner designs, and enhanced AI-driven software experiences [4] - Apple is expected to enter the foldable market in the second half of 2026, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape [4][5] Technological Developments - Major smartphone brands are intensifying their focus on technological leadership and product differentiation, with foldable designs evolving beyond traditional book-style formats [5] - Samsung's new triple-foldable model is positioned as a pilot product to validate durability and software optimization before larger-scale commercialization [5] - The entry of Apple into the foldable market is anticipated to bring substantial changes to the competitive dynamics [5]