Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to hit a major cumulative milestone in 2026 with total lifetime units set to surpass 100 million by the end of the year, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest Foldable Smartphone Market Forecast.
This is in the eighth year since the launch of the first commercially available foldable in 2019. Apple’s market entry and stronger demand for wider book-type devices from Samsung and Huawei are expected to further boost demand for foldables with global shipments poised to rise 37% year-over-year (YoY) in 2027. Additionally, with the higher expected growth, Counterpoint forecasts the foldable market to easily hit the next 100 million cumulative shipments milestone within the upcoming three years.
Foldables still account for only about 2% of the overall smartphone market, leaving plenty of room for the category to grow. Samsung continues to spearhead foldable innovation, while Huawei remains a key driver in China with a broad range of designs.
Counterpoint says Apple is poised to bring another wave of premium users into the segment with its upcoming foldable, while other brands are stepping up their efforts. Xiaomi is expected to launch the Xiaomi 18 Fold soon, while Motorola, HONOR, Google, vivo and OPPO are also working on new foldable products, including wider-format models.
This increased activity should help the market accelerate further in 2027, with global foldable shipments forecast to grow another 37% YoY next year. A full year of Apple sales will be a major driver, with Apple shipments expected to more than double and its share set to reach 40%. At the same time, the shift toward wider book-type designs will likely continue, supported by the strong early response to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 and the momentum behind Huawei’s Pura X Max.
“Apple’s entry will surely increase competition at the premium end,” Counterpoint Research Director Tarun Pathak says. “However, foldables are still a very small part of the overall smartphone market, so there is room for the category to grow well beyond current volumes. Samsung continues to push innovation, Huawei remains strong in China, and we are seeing more manufacturers prepare new designs and form factors. The broader participation is expected to help the market expand over the next few years.”
Apple’s entry will likely make an immediate impact. Counterpoint forecasts up to 6 million foldable iPhone shipments in 2026, giving Apple a 25% share of the global market and the No. 2 position, behind Samsung at 38% and ahead of Huawei at 22%. It will be significant for Apple to achieve this ranking so quickly after entering the category, particularly given the relatively short selling window expected this year.
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