Samsung Electronics, the pioneer of foldable phones, now faces intensified competition from Chinese companies. Following Huawei and Xiaomi unveiling their new models just three days before Apple’s first foldable phone launch, Apple itself is set to enter the market on the 10th, intensifying global competition in the foldable phone sector.
Huawei unveiled its tri-fold phone "Mate XT 2" on the 7th, which folds twice. While the previous model featured an "Z-shaped" structure that folded screens in opposite directions, the new product uses a "double inward folding" method that folds both side screens inward. Its form closely resembles Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Z Tri-Fold. When fully unfolded, the screen measures 10.2 inches with a thickness of just 3.5mm. Starting price is 19,999 yuan (approximately 4.01 million won) for the 16GB·256GB model.
Xiaomi also released its "passport-style" foldable phone, the "Xiaomi 18 Fold," on the same day, featuring a wider horizontal width. The external screen is 5.38 inches and the internal screen is 7.58 inches, expanding the horizontal width to enhance screen usability. When unfolded, one side measures 5.02mm in thickness and weighs 219g. Starting price is 19,999 yuan (approximately 2.21 million won) for the 12GB·256GB model.
China is the world's largest foldable phone market. Given this, Huawei and Xiaomi's moves cannot be ignored in global market competition. As Chinese companies diversify product forms, Apple's unveiling of its first foldable phone, "iPhone Duo," on the 10th has further complicated the competitive landscape.
According to Counterpoint Research, Samsung Electronics is expected to maintain its No. 1 position in the global foldable phone market this year with a 38% market share based on shipment volume. Apple is projected to secure second place with 25% in its first year of entry, while Huawei is forecast to take third place with 22%. The gap between Samsung Electronics and Apple stands at 13 percentage points.
Lee Lee, a senior researcher at Counterpoint Research, forecasted that Apple's foldable phone shipments this year could reach up to 6 million units. He noted, "Supply will inevitably be limited during the initial production expansion phase," but added, "Rising to second place globally immediately despite a short sales period represents a very strong start." This analysis suggests Apple can exert significant influence on the market even before supply fully expands.
Alongside expanding competition, the foldable phone market is also growing in scale. Eight years after the first commercial product appeared in 2019, cumulative shipments are projected to exceed 100 million units this year. Although foldable phones currently account for only about 2% of the total smartphone market, global shipments next year are expected to increase by 37% compared to this year, and cumulative shipments are forecast to surpass another 100 million units within the next three years.
in TECH
