Samsung faces rising competition as foldable phones might reach nearly 5% market share by 2028

Header image is referential, showcasing the Galaxy Z Fold 5 | Image credit–PhoneArena

Since the modern era of foldable phones kicked off in 2019, Samsung has been the go-to brand. But with competition from various players heating up lately, including Huawei even surpassing Samsung in Q1 2024, the foldable phone landscape is undergoing some changes.

Samsung is still leading in the foldable market, but…

In 2024, foldable phone shipments are projected to hit 17.8 million units, accounting for just 1.5% of the smartphone market. Despite challenges like high repair rates and costs, experts anticipate market penetration to rise to 4.8% by 2028.

Samsung, once the dominant force in the foldable phone market with over 80% market share in 2022, has seen its dominance wane in the face of growing competition from other brands. As mentioned, by 2023-2024, Samsung’s share has declined to around 50%, marking a notable drop from its previous stronghold at 60%. Why?

Meanwhile, other Chinese companies like Xiaomi, Oppo, and vivo faced challenges in expanding their foldable phone sales, with each falling below the 1 million unit mark. Motorola, on the other hand, made a notable impact with its Razr 40 (aka Razr (2023)) and Razr 40 Ultra (aka Razr Plus (2023)), poised to surpass 1 million units and secure a 6% market share.