Nolan’s Notes: Everyone Has Their Eye on India
Standard of Excellence: The Human Touch in an Automated World
The Government Circuit: Navigating New Trade Headwinds and New Partnerships
Foldable Phone Shipments Gradually Rise, Market Penetration Expected to Reach Nearly 5% by 2028
June 4, 2024 | TrendForceEstimated reading time: 1 minute
TrendForce reports that shipments of foldable phones are expected to reach 17.8 million units in 2024, making up only 1.5% of the smartphone market. Despite high repair rates and costs, market penetration is projected to climb to 4.8% by 2028.
Samsung, a trailblazer in the foldable phone market, commanded over 80% of the market share in 2022. However, with increasing competition from various brands in 2023–2024, Samsung’s share dropped from 60% and it now struggles to maintain 50%.
Huawei made significant strides with its 4G Pocket S in 2023, boosting its market share to 12%. In 2024, Huawei released upgraded 5G models like the Mate X5 and Pocket 2. Additionally, they are set to launch the world’s first tri-fold phone in Q3, which could potentially raise their market share to nearly 30%.
Pricing advantage helps Motorola and Nubia stand out in the 2024 foldable phone market
Other brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo struggled to grow their foldable phone sales, with each falling below 1 million units. Meanwhile, Motorola made a strong entrance with its Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra—priced between CNY 3,999 to 5,699—and likely to exceed 1 million units while capturing a 6% market share.
One key factor attracting customers to foldable phones is pricing, prompting brands to focus on boosting display performance, and reducing creasing, while also cutting overall costs. Chinese brand Nubia launched the Nubia Flip in Japan this year at a competitive US$499. Besides Japan and China, Nubia has started pre-sales in various markets, with promising sales prospects. TrendForce notes that the Nubia Flip likely uses hinges from Chinese suppliers and foldable OLED panels from Chinese panel makers, significantly lowering product costs to achieve a competitive price point.
Rumors about Apple entering the foldable phone market continue to circulate. TrendForce notes that Apple is still evaluating component specifications and performance, with strict requirements for crease and reliability. Apple is unlikely to release a foldable phone before 2027, but its entry could significantly shift market dynamics.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Indium Promotes Huang to Senior Manager, Marketing Communications
08/28/2025 | Indium CorporationWith its commitment to innovation and growth through employee development, Indium Corporation announces the promotion of Jingya Huang to Senior Manager, Marketing Communications, to continue to lead the company’s branding and promotional efforts.
India’s PC Market Grows 5.7% YoY in 1H25, Shipping 6.8 Million Units
08/22/2025 | IDCIndia’s traditional PC market (desktops, notebooks, and workstations) grew 3.0% year-over-year (YoY) in 2Q25 with 3.5 million units shipments, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. This marks the eighth consecutive quarter of growth.
Ta Yang Group Holdings Limited Announcing AI Transformation Blueprint
08/21/2025 | ACN NewswireTa Yang Group Holdings Limited, a well-established Hong Kong-listed company with nearly two decades of market presence, plans to further advance comprehensively into the Web 4.0 field and artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
Standardized Hinges and Apple’s Entry Expected to Push Foldable Phone Penetration Beyond 3% by 2027
08/19/2025 | TrendForceTrendForce’s latest investigations reveal that the anticipated launch of Apple’s first foldable device in the second half of 2026 is expected to lift foldable phone penetration from 1.6% in 2025 to over 3% in 2027.
The Marketing Minute: Staying Positive When the Market Isn’t
08/20/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteIn today’s volatile electronics market, buffeted by tariffs, supply-chain shifts, and squeezed margins, it’s tempting to tighten belts and cut your marketing budget. But history shows us that the quietest brands get forgotten fastest. Staying visible is not a luxury; it’s a competitive advantage.