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Book-style foldables are taking over, with Samsung fighting for second place
According to Omdia, the foldable smartphone market is expected to grow significantly, with annual increases exceeding 20% until 2028, potentially reaching around 36 million units sold. However, the first half of 2026 has shown a decline in overall shipments, with clamshell foldable sales down dramatically. The report highlights a shift towards book-style devices, which accounted for 69% of shipments in this period, marking a transition in consumer preference. Samsung, despite being a pioneer in foldable technology, has dropped to an 18% market share, falling significantly behind Huawei's impressive 57% in the same timeframe. The launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could influence future market dynamics, but the current statistics underscore a notable shift in competitive positioning within the industry.
MonitorConfidence: HighMid term horizon
Published 20 Aug 2026, 15:25 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Foldable smartphone market is projected to grow by over 20% annually through 2028.
- First half of 2026 saw 5.1 million foldable units shipped, down over 20% year-over-year.
- Clamshell foldable models are declining, with a 47% year-over-year drop.
- Book-style devices comprised 69% of foldable shipments in early 2026.
- Huawei currently leads the foldable market with 57% share.
Interesting facts
- Samsung's market share has declined from its founding position in the foldable market.
- Huawei's dominance largely stems from its focus on the Chinese market.