### The Foldable Smartphone Market: Why Samsung Requires Apple’s Participation in the Foldable Movement
The realm of foldable smartphones has emerged as one of the most captivating advancements in the technology sector in recent years. Samsung, the clear frontrunner in this field, has consistently expanded the limits with its Galaxy Z Flip and Fold series. Nevertheless, despite its endeavors, the foldable phone market has faced difficulties in attaining widespread appeal. A recent analysis from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) sheds light on the challenges confronting this sector and reveals an unexpected insight: Samsung may need Apple to introduce a foldable iPhone to genuinely unlock the true potential of foldable technology.
#### The Current Status of the Foldable Market
As per DSCC, the foldable smartphone sector witnessed substantial growth from 2019 to 2023, with yearly increases of at least 40%. However, this growth is markedly decelerating. The market is anticipated to rise by a mere 5% in 2024, followed by a 4% drop in 2025. These statistics imply that foldable devices are having difficulties transcending their niche reputation and establishing themselves as mainstream offerings.
Samsung, the leading player, is encountering challenges in vital markets like the United States and China, where its Galaxy Z Flip 6 has not met projections. The Z Flip series, celebrated for its compact clamshell style, has been Samsung’s top-selling foldable phone line. Yet, even its success hasn’t been sufficient to uphold significant expansion in the foldable arena.
In contrast, Huawei, the second-largest participant in the foldable sector, has experienced some growth in 2023. However, its limited access to advanced processors due to ongoing trade limitations is poised to impede its capacity to compete effectively in the upcoming years. Beyond Samsung and Huawei, there remains no notable third contender in the foldable market, leaving the segment largely unchanging.
#### Why the Foldable Market Requires Apple
Samsung has frequently taunted Apple for its absence of a foldable iPhone, but the truth is that Samsung—and the foldable market overall—would gain tremendously from Apple’s involvement in this arena. Here’s the reasoning:
1. **Broader Adoption**: Apple has a documented history of transforming niche technologies into widely embraced trends. The iPhone altered the smartphone landscape, the iPad reimagined tablets, and the Apple Watch established the benchmark for smartwatches. A foldable iPhone would likely have a similar impact, propelling foldable devices into the mainstream in a manner that Samsung and other brands have struggled to accomplish.
2. **Market Credibility**: Apple’s foray into the foldable market would legitimize the category as a credible and coveted product. This would not only draw in more consumers but also motivate other brands to invest in foldable technology, fostering innovation and rivalry.
3. **Supply Chain Potential**: Samsung stands as one of the foremost producers of foldable OLED displays. If Apple were to introduce a foldable iPhone, it would probably depend on Samsung as a crucial supplier. This would create a substantial revenue opportunity for Samsung, even as it competes with Apple in the smartphone domain.
4. **Innovation Driver**: Apple is recognized for its detail-oriented approach to product development and user experience. A foldable iPhone would likely bring forth new innovations and elevate industry standards. These advancements would encourage other manufacturers, including Samsung, to enhance their own products.
#### Challenges Confronting Foldable Phones
The difficulties faced by the foldable market can be traced to multiple factors:
– **High Costs**: Foldable phones are significantly pricier than conventional smartphones, rendering them unaffordable for many consumers.
– **Durability Issues**: Despite enhancements, foldable devices are still viewed as less robust than their non-foldable counterparts, especially regarding the folding mechanism and display.
– **Limited Applications**: While foldable phones provide unique designs, they have yet to reveal compelling use cases that justify their elevated price points for the average consumer.
– **Competition from Traditional Smartphones**: High-end non-foldable smartphones continue to deliver excellent performance, aesthetics, and features at lower prices, making them more appealing to a broader audience.
#### The Path Forward
For the foldable market to flourish, it requires a stimulus—and that stimulus could potentially be Apple. While Samsung perseveres in innovating with its Galaxy Z Flip and Fold series, the company seems to have reached a limit concerning market expansion. The introduction of a foldable iPhone would not only broaden the market but also stimulate innovation and rivalry, benefiting all participants in the sector.
Until that time arrives, the foldable market will likely remain a specialized niche, captivating primarily early adopters and tech aficionados. For Samsung, the challenge lies in continuously enhancing its offerings, addressing issues related to price, durability, and usability, all while hoping that Apple’s eventual entry into the foldable domain will generate the mainstream visibility this category requires.
Ultimately, the success of foldable phones may hinge not
