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]