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The Conclusion of Challenges for Foldable Phones: How 2026 Will Revolutionize the Market

Fold once, fold twice: A stronger resurgence for foldables!

Foldable smartphones were envisioned as the forthcoming sensation in the smartphone sector. Initial 5-year projections were ambitious, predicting double-digit growth and significant market share capture. However, these forecasts were adjusted as shipments declined from early peaks, and the foldable market’s unit share never surpassed 1.6% of the total smartphones.

As we approach the end of the year, foldables are anticipated to see only a 10% year-over-year growth in 2025, according to IDC’s recent projections, a figure lower than the record numbers noted in the technology’s early stages. Nonetheless, the form factor shows resilience, with a favorable shift towards foldables.

While the initial foldable phones debuted with book-style designs, flip models swiftly became the favored form factor — influenced by their lower price tags and possibly the nostalgia for flip feature phones. It wasn’t until 2025 that fold models seized the lead with 53% market share in the category.

Android brands, headed by Samsung, Honor, Oppo, and Google, have capitalized on their newest foldable offerings, eager to challenge the $1,000+ premium segment long monopolized by Apple, which has yet to introduce a foldable option.

How new engineering has addressed foldables’ most significant flaw

Simultaneously, gradual innovations in design and durability have started to reshape the innovation landscape, providing foldables with a competitive advantage. For instance, the Honor Magic V5 stands as the slimmest foldable on the market, featuring a folded thickness of 8.8mm and an unfolded thickness of 4.1mm.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when opened. In contrast, the original Galaxy Fold debuted in 2019 with measurements of 17.1mm/7.6mm, and the 2024 Galaxy Z Fold 6 at 12.1mm/5.6mm. When compared to a non-foldable within the Galaxy series, it surpasses Samsung’s slimmest S25 Edge in its unfolded state.

Regarding durability, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 claims to withstand up to 500,000 folds owing to improved materials and hinge design, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 managed only 200,000 folds. This translates to a decade of durability for the average user of the latest model.

These comparisons illustrate that the consumers’ primary concern — bulkiness — has become a non-issue. Foldables are now slimmer, more durable, and constructed to endure, justifying their premium pricing.

The daring new form factor driving global interest

The redemption story continues. Huawei advances the foldable idea with the introduction of the world’s first trifold smartphone, operating on Harmony OS and set for global availability in 2025. The display folds twice to 10.2 inches and achieves a thickness of 3.6mm when opened.

With Huawei’s trifold design establishing an audacious benchmark, Samsung responds to the rivalry by unveiling the Galaxy Z TriFold in December 2025. The 10-inch, 3.9mm-thin TriFold’s in-store and online inventory sold out rapidly during its initial launch in Korea, signaling a resurgence of robust consumer interest in foldables.

Indeed, Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold marks a new chapter for foldables. It is the first trifold smartphone operating on Android and supported by Samsung, the frontrunner in the foldable field. With its extensive reach and formidable brand influence, Samsung is poised to bring trifold technology to average consumers quicker than Huawei.

Facing barriers due to the absence of Android and Google services, Huawei primarily targets China with its Mate XT and Mate XTs trifolds. Despite this challenge, both models collectively secured a 3.6% unit share of the foldable market in the initial three quarters of 2025, selling over 740,000 units and generating an impressive $2 billion in revenue since their debut. These figures are remarkable, considering both models retail at a hefty $2,500.

The 2026 turning point: What occurs when Apple finally enters the field?

As trifold foldables attract consumers, the real turning point is anticipated in 2026: Apple finally joins the foldable landscape, expected to capture a 22% unit share and 34% value share of the foldables market in its inaugural year, according to IDC.

Apple’s capacity to sell on a large scale to a dedicated customer base will undoubtedly lead to healthier growth across the entire foldable sector. In fact, IDC’s latest predictions suggest a phenomenal 30% growth for the overall foldable market in 2026.

This influence will also affect the Android foldable segment. While possibly not immediate, a more significant consumer demand is expected to emerge over the medium term.

Consumer Electronics in 2026: Upcoming Innovations and Supply Chain Obstacles

Here’s all that we anticipate witnessing in the tech realm.

The consumer electronics sector in 2026 will be influenced by two contrasting dynamics: daring innovation and constrained supply chains. Devices such as foldables, smart glasses, and AI-enhanced wearables are on track to transform our engagement with technology, while memory deficits and declining PC demand will pose considerable hurdles for brands and consumers alike. Here’s what to await—and how to navigate it.

Foldables finally emerge

After years of gradual advancements, foldables are ready for a breakout moment. Apple’s entry into this space will mark a pivotal point, enhancing awareness and boosting premium interest. IDC predicts nearly 30% year-on-year growth for foldables in 2026, with Apple projected to claim about 22% of unit share and more than a third of market value, attributed to a price tag around $2,400. This development will compel Android manufacturers to intensify focus on durability, crease minimization, and software refinement.

Samsung is already leading the charge with its Galaxy Z TriFold, which boasts a 10-inch inner display. The TriFold aims to blur the distinctions between smartphones and tablets, unlocking new potential for multitasking and productivity.

Smart glasses go mainstream

Smart glasses are making the leap from niche to mainstream acceptance. Meta has broadened its Ray-Bans collection to incorporate a display, while Google and Samsung are gearing up to unveil Android XR glasses in collaboration with fashion labels such as Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Two varieties of glasses are anticipated: audio-centric models for ambient AI experiences and display-in-lens formats for more engaging interactions.

Initial demonstrations have shown promise, but both Google and Meta confront critical obstacles: guaranteeing their AI-driven assistance is dependable, swift, and mindful of privacy. Should they overcome these hurdles, smart glasses could emerge as the next significant wearable trend.

Wearables become “helpful, not noisy”

Wearables are transitioning from simple notification centers to vital health companions. Devices devoid of screens, like Oura and Whoop, have garnered consumer interest by emphasizing in-depth biometrics such as sleep, recovery, and readiness levels. Anticipate more rings and bands concentrating on wellness insights over incessant notifications, complemented by medical-adjacent features like ECG and blood pressure tracking. Traditional smartwatches will increasingly emphasize on-device AI and safety features to validate their premium pricing.

PC growth decelerates

After a vigorous refresh cycle in 2025, PC growth is predicted to slow in 2026. DIY builders will encounter a particularly tough year as DRAM shortages inflate component costs. Windows on ARM devices may receive a slight boost as second-generation units become available, potentially leading to further price reductions on prior generations. Additionally, Nvidia is rumored to unveil a chip in late 2026, which should benefit the entire category.

Who emerges victorious in 2026?

Apple is strategically positioned to capture headlines and profitability. Its foldable iPhone will affirm the category’s viability and exert pressure on Android competitors, while its stringent control over hardware and supply chains will enable it to manage DRAM-related disruptions more effectively than most PC manufacturers. An affordably priced Mac is anticipated to debut early in 2026, intensifying competition for Windows PC makers.

Nonetheless, Samsung is not far behind. The Galaxy Z TriFold will strengthen its position in the foldable market, and its smartphone prowess and scalability will persist, allowing the company to gain ground from smaller Android smartphone contenders. The strength in smartphones often translates into wearable success for Samsung, which excels at bundling products, and with the imminent XR glasses, Samsung is set to play a significant role in the smart glasses landscape.

Regarding the chipsets that will support these smartphones, Qualcomm remains a significant yet understated force. Its chips power almost every premium Android flagship and dominate XR technology. The forthcoming Snapdragon X2 Elite will deliver substantial CPU and GPU enhancements for PCs, alongside an 80-TOPS NPU for AI applications. Anticipate slim, sleek designs and possibly even gaming-oriented laptops built around this architecture.

That said, while Android XR appears promising, Google still needs to establish its capability to deliver polished software and seamless Gemini integration at scale. Similarly, speculations about Android PCs continue, but Google’s performance in this arena has been lackluster. Even with Qualcomm’s hardware capabilities, it remains unclear why consumers would opt for Android over Windows or Mac.

Not everyone thrives

Consumers will experience financial strain as prices rise across various categories. Memory shortages will result in fewer upgrades at identical price points, reduced discounts on older models, and aggressive de-specing throughout devices. If you know you’ll need a phone or PC in 2026, purchasing early could offer savings.

Smaller vendors will confront an even tougher reality. In tightly constrained supply cycles, memory suppliers prioritize top-tier brands, leaving lesser and local companies with minimal bargaining power. Some might exit the market entirely as BOM costs render devices unsustainable.

How to maneuver through 2026

If you’re considering a foldable, it might be wise to wait for Apple’s launch later in the year, as pricing and trade-in conditions are likely to evolve. For memory-sensitive devices like smartphones and PCs, early purchasing is advisable to sidestep DR