The global foldable smartphone market is growing, though at a steady pace, with concerns over durability, the crease, and pricing still hindering broader adoption. According to TrendForce’s latest report, 19.8 million foldable devices are expected to be sold this year, accounting for around 1.6% of the total smartphone market, almost identical to last year’s share. Samsung, the current leader in foldables, is seeing its market share decline, from 45.2% last year to 35.4% this year, leaving the company narrowly ahead of Huawei, whose share is expected to drop slightly from 35.2% to 34.2%. This tight race leaves just over one percentage point separating the two tech giants.
While the two top players dominate, several other brands are growing their market share. 
Honor, for instance, is predicted to increase its share from 6% in 2024 to 9.1% this year. Motorola also shows growth, moving from 5.5% to 7.6%. Oppo and vivo are expected to jointly claim 8.5% of the foldable market, while Xiaomi is projected to rise from 3% to 5.1% this year.
TrendForce’s report suggests that the foldable market will continue to grow slowly but steadily in the near future. A game-changer, however, could be Apple’s potential entry into the foldable space. Apple is already rumored to be working on its first foldable device, with orders for foldable display panels placed with Samsung Display. The company is reportedly focused on perfecting the crease issue and incorporating liquid metal to enhance durability. As for pricing, expectations are high for Apple’s first foldable, with many predicting it will be a premium device, potentially priced at around $3,000.