Key Takeaways
- SAG forecasts global foldable smartphone shipments will grow 30%+ YoY in both 2026 and 2027, marking the beginning of the category’s next super growth cycle.
- Samsung is expected to remain the global leader with 28% market share in 2026, followed by Huawei (27%) and Apple (25%) after the debut of its first foldable iPhone.
- China will remain the world’s largest foldable smartphone market, while the U.S. market mix is expected to rise sharply from Q4 2026, primarily driven by the launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
- The industry is entering the “wide-fold” era, with wider outer displays replacing traditional narrow book-style foldables as the preferred user experience.
- Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 represents the major portfolio designed around this transition.
Smart Analytics Global (SAG) forecasts global foldable smartphone shipments will grow more than 30% YoY in both 2026 and 2027, marking the beginning of a new super growth cycle for the category. Samsung is expected to retain the No. 1 position with 28% global market share in 2026, followed closely by Huawei at 27%. Apple’s first foldable smartphone, expected to be introduced as the iPhone 18 Ultra, is projected to capture an impressive 25% share, despite entering the market only in late 2026.
Exhibit 1: Global Foldable Smartphone Vendor Share Forecast
Huawei will remain a major competitive force through its broad portfolio, including the Mate X series and Pura X series etc., Honor will continue strengthening its premium presence with the Magic V series, while Motorola will defend its position in the flip segment through the Razr series.
Regionally, China is expected to remain the world’s largest foldable smartphone market in 2026/2027, supported by strong consumer adoption and continued innovation from domestic vendors. Meanwhile, the U.S. share of global foldable shipments is forecast to increase sharply beginning in Q4 2026, largely driven by Apple’s entry and its strong premium user base.
The market is also entering a new era led by wide-fold smartphones. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 will validate the industry’s shift toward wider outer displays that provide a more natural everyday smartphone experience. SAG expects wide-fold models to gain share over the next several years at the expense of both traditional narrow book-style foldables and compact flip devices.
“The foldable smartphone market is entering a new phase, with competition shifting from simply making devices thinner and lighter toward delivering a more natural everyday smartphone experience. Wide-fold designs will become a mainstream industry direction, while Apple’s entry will significantly accelerate adoption and increase the importance of the U.S. market beginning in late 2026.”
— Linda Sui, Founder, Smart Analytics Global (SAG)
Stay tuned for SAG’s in-depth coverage of Samsung Galaxy Unpacked tomorrow, including our analysis of the new Fold 8 and Flip 8 family, Samsung’s wide-fold strategy and its implications for the future competitive landscape of the global foldable smartphone market.