Worldwide shipments of foldable smartphones are projected to reach 20.6 million units in 2025, up 10% from 2024, according to market intelligence firm International Data Corp. (IDC). New models from Apple and Samsung in 2026 are expected to drive further demand.
“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.
IDC projects the foldables category to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17% through 2029, compared with less than 1% for traditional smartphones.
Samsung will start 2026 with the Galaxy Z Trifold, introducing tri-fold design to mainstream consumers, building on the success of the Galaxy Z Fold7 in 2025. Huawei’s foldables running on HarmonyOS Next are also expected to see strong growth, with shipments almost doubling in 2026.
Apple is set to enter the foldable market at the end of the year, projected to capture over 22% of unit share and 34% of the foldables market value, with an expected average price of $2,400.
“The launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone will mark a turning point for the foldable segment,” said Francisco Jeronimo, VP of Client Devices at IDC. “This move is likely to boost category awareness and drive consumer interest.”
While foldables will remain a niche segment in terms of volume, their higher prices make them an important source of revenue for vendors. Average selling prices for foldables are expected to be three times higher than standard smartphones.
With consumers holding onto smartphones longer, driving replacement cycles has become more challenging. Foldables and tri-fold devices are seen as critical innovations to encourage upgrades and increase value.