Foldable phones once promised to be the next big wave in smartphones, bringing a fresh take on a pocket large screen experience. But after years of fast growth, 2025 marked the first real slowdown for the category. Industry data has revealed that the foldable segment not only cooled off, but may have actually declined. But is this just a one-off dip, or does it point to a wider trend? Read on to find out.
1. Foldables in 2025: A Rare Decline After Years of Expansion
Motorola Razr Fold
For much of the early 2020s, foldables grew rapidly as more brands entered the space and technology improved. These flexible phones got better and better, and certain models became a lot more accessible in terms of pricing. However, reports have projected a drop in foldable smartphone growth in 2025. According to Counterpoint Research, panel shipments for foldable displays are expected to fall about 4% in 2025 after flat gains in 2024.
The report adds that shipment figures show a broader trend of foldable phones losing popularity as manufacturers shipped fewer models than in previous years. The declining number of distinct foldable phones in 2025 reflects caution from brands that once flooded the market with multiple models.
2. Samsung’s Sales Dip and Market Share Struggles
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 2026 Olympic Edition
Samsung has been the long standing leader in the foldable segment. But the South Korean tech giant has been seeing a decline in foldable sales. This continues even after the release of its latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 series of foldable phones. Overall, foldables still make up a tiny slice of the entire smartphone landscape. Despite eye-catching new releases, they’re estimated to account for just around 1.5% of all smartphone sales. In other words, more than 98% of phones sold remain traditional slabs.
3. Consumers Are Still Wary
While the global market cooled, China bucked the trend with solid growth. Foldable shipments in China expanded significantly, with reports indicating over 30% growth in 2025, thanks mainly to strong demand for Huawei’s models and other local brands. That regional outperformance highlights that demand pockets do exist, although this does not reflect a true global momentum just yet.
4. Why 2026 Could Be Pivotal
Many analysts see 2026 as a turning point for the foldable category, and one major reason that could back this growth is Apple’s highly anticipated first foldable iPhone. Multiple reports suggest Apple plans to launch a foldable device in the second half of 2026, potentially leveraging its massive customer base to expand awareness and adoption.
This could be great for the entire foldable segment since Apple’s entry could expand markets rather than just redistribute existing demand. Apple’s launch of its foldable will likely lead to significant growth in foldable display shipments in 2026 as well, thanks to renewed interest.
5. What 2026 Needs to Break Through
Here’s what the foldable phones need to truly shift from niche to mainstream in 2026:
Better pricing and durability: Foldables need to close the price gap with high-end flat phones and continue ramping up durability to lessen repair and longevity concerns.Clear use-cases: These devices must stand out with everyday advantages for productivity, multitasking and media.Apple’s entry as a catalyst: If Apple’s foldable iPhone delivers strong performance and ecosystem synergy, it could validate the category for millions more buyers outside current early adopters.
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