Global cumulative shipments of foldable smartphones are expected to reach 100 million units by the end of 2026, followed by a 37% increase next year.
Counterpoint Research, a smartphone market research firm, released its latest Foldable Smartphone Market Forecast report on 7 Sep 2026, stating that global cumulative shipments of foldable smartphones since their first commercial release in 2019 will surpass 100 million units by the end of 2026. Apple’s market entry with the launch of the iPhone Duo is a key driver, and Apple is expected to immediately capture a 25% market share, becoming the second largest player in its first year.
The report estimates that Apple will deliver up to about 6 million iPhone Duo units in 2026, representing a 25% market share, trailing Samsung’s 38% and ahead of Huawei’s 22%. This is notable considering Apple has a relatively short selling window this year and faces initial production capacity constraints.
Liz Lee, Deputy Director at Counterpoint, noted that supply constraints during the early production phase are unavoidable. Shipments and availability will gradually expand following launch, with readiness varying by market. These limitations explain why the 2026 forecast ceiling is set at 6 million units.
For 2027, Apple’s first full selling year, Counterpoint expects shipments to more than double, with market share rising to 40%.
Meanwhile, the global foldable market is projected to grow 37% year-over-year, the highest rate since 2022, supported by both the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Apple’s market entry. The market is expected to expand 24% this year, and if this momentum continues, it will take only about three more years to reach the next cumulative milestone of 100 million units.
Despite strong growth, foldable smartphones still represent only about 2% of the total smartphone market, with most consumers still preferring traditional candybar-style phones. Counterpoint highlights that a major obstacle is the price gap, as foldable devices cost roughly three times more than regular smartphones.
The report also notes that this year will see new products from multiple manufacturers including Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Motorola, Honor, Google, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi. Notably, models with a wide book-style design will offer more convenient external screens and larger internal displays suitable for multitasking and AI-assisted work.
Source:Counterpoint Research