Counterpoint research forecasts major shift in foldable market
According to a recent report by Counterpoint Research, book-like foldables have taken the lead in the foldable smartphonemarket, accounting for 52% of total shipments in 2025. The trend is expected to continue, with the market research firm predicting a significant increase in demand for these devices in 2026.
Book-like foldables to capture 65% of foldable market in 2026
Counterpoint Research anticipates that book-like foldables will capture around 65% of the global foldable smartphone market in 2026, up from 52% in 2025. This represents a substantial growth in demand for these devices, driven largely by manufacturers' efforts to improve hardware and overall usability.
Apple's iphone fold to enter foldable market
The absence of a foldable device from
apple's lineup was a notable gap, but this is set to change in 2026 with the release of the
iPhone Fold. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the foldable market, potentially even surpassing Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 in terms of demand.
Samsung's galaxy z fold 7 outshines flip model
Samsung's
Galaxy Z Fold 7 has outperformed the
Galaxy Z Flip 7, marking the first time a book-like foldable has surpassed a clamshell option in terms of total shipments. This suggests that users are increasingly opting for devices that can double as tablets, rather than simply novelty foldable designs.
Oems prioritize premium devices, book-like foldables align with strategy
As memory troubles affect mid- and low-tier devices, OEMs are shifting focus to higher-end smartphones. Book-like foldables, with their premium specifications and higher memory configurations, align perfectly with this
strategy, allowing OEMs to expand average selling prices and drive value-led growth.
Clamshell foldables expected to decline in 2026
While flip
phones kicked off the foldable trend, they are expected to gradually decline in popularity as both OEMs and users focus more on larger, book-like form factors. This is in line with the overall trend of premiumization in the smartphone market.
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