New data from IDC indicates that while the foldable smartphone market will see steady 10% growth in 2025, the category is poised for a massive 30% surge in 2026 – driven largely by the launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone and Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Trifold.
“Next year will prove exciting for the foldable category with multiple launches pushing the market to 30% YoY growth from just 6% in the prior forecast,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. “…. but the real game-changer for the category comes at year-end when Apple enters the foldable space, projected to capture over 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the foldables market value in its first year, thanks to an expected average price point of $2,400.”
While 2025 foldable shipments are forecast to reach 20.6 million units, IDC projects 2026 to be the pivotal year for mainstream awareness and value generation in the category. Here are highlights and forecasts from the IDC report:
- Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone at the end of 2026. Despite a projected average price point of $2,400, IDC forecasts Apple will capture 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the total market value in its first year.
- Building on the Galaxy Z Fold7, Samsung is expected to kickstart the year by introducing the Galaxy Z Trifold, bringing tri-fold technology to the global mainstream.
- Running on HarmonyOS Next, Huawei’s foldable shipments are projected to almost double in 2026.
- The foldable smartphone category is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% through 2029. By then, foldables will represent over 10% of total smartphone market value.
- While foldables remain a niche segment by volume, they are becoming a critical value driver. With average selling prices expected to be 3x higher than standard smartphones, this category is essential for vendors looking to offset plateauing upgrade cycles in the traditional market.
The launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone will mark a turning point for the foldable segment,” said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at IDC. “This move is likely to boost category awareness and drive consumer interest. Apple tends to be a catalyst for mainstream adoption of new categories. Although foldables will continue to be a niche segment from a volume perspective, it will become a relevant value driver for most vendors offering foldables, as average selling prices will be 3 times higher than a standard smartphone.”
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