Key Takeaways
1. Foldable smartphones represented 2.5% of all smartphone shipments, with strong growth driven by book-style models like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7.
2. Samsung’s foldable segment grew by 32% year-on-year, regaining market share and holding a dominant 64% of the foldable market.
3. Huawei and Vivo reported positive growth, with Huawei achieving a 10% increase and Vivo seeing a 67% rise in foldable shipments.
4. Xiaomi and Honor faced significant declines in foldable sales, with Xiaomi’s shipments dropping by 54% and Honor’s by 31%.
5. Future growth in the foldable market is anticipated, especially if Apple releases a folding phone, while Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold is expected to have limited shipping volumes.
Foldables saw a rise in popularity among consumers during the quarter, representing 2.5 percent of all smartphone shipments. This growth was primarily driven by book-style models, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 performing better than Counterpoint anticipated.
Samsung’s Growth Surge
Samsung’s foldable segment experienced a 32 percent increase compared to last year. This marked a notable rebound from the prior quarter when it lost nearly half of its market share to a surge from Motorola. The South Korean giant dominated the foldable market with around 64 percent share, largely due to the success of its latest Galaxy Z-series devices.
Rivals’ Performance
The third quarter of 2025 was a mixed result for Samsung’s competitors. Huawei managed to stay in second place, benefiting from steady demand for the Mate series, which led to a commendable 10 percent growth year-on-year. Vivo also saw a significant 67 percent increase in foldable shipments.
Motorola continued its momentum from Q2, with its clamshell Razr 60 series contributing to a 16 percent growth compared to last year.
Challenges for Other Brands
In contrast, Xiaomi faced a dramatic decline, with shipments dropping by 54 percent year on year. Another Chinese competitor, Honor, also experienced a 31 percent decrease in foldable sales.
Counterpoint predicts that growth in the foldable market will pick up pace in 2026. The research firm believes that if Apple releases its rumored folding phone, it could significantly boost the premium segment. Additionally, they forecast that Samsung’s recently launched Galaxy Z TriFold will have limited shipping volumes.
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