Global foldable smartphone shipments reached a new all-time high in Q3 2025, marking a 14 percent year-on-year increase, according to fresh data released by Counterpoint Research. The surge highlights the growing maturity of foldable devices as a mainstream segment rather than a niche category.
Samsung remained the clear market leader, capturing an estimated 64 percent share of all shipments during the quarter. The brand’s success was driven largely by strong demand for the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, which helped the company expand its footprint in regions where foldable adoption historically lagged.
Samsung’s foldable shipments rose 32 percent compared with the same period last year, reflecting both consumer confidence and product endurance. Industry analysts attribute the momentum to improvements in hinge durability, slimmer designs, and a focus on premium camera performance—areas that have traditionally influenced buying decisions in high-end smartphones.
The continued dominance of Samsung also signals where the competitive landscape currently stands. While challenger brands including Honor, Huawei, Motorola, and Oppo have expanded their offerings, they collectively operate in a much smaller share of the global foldable market. Many of these products still face regional launch limitations, fragmented supply chains, and price sensitivities in key consumer markets.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that early-moving brands are benefiting from brand loyalty and ecosystem lock-in. Samsung’s strategy of offering trade-ins, heavy promotions, and integration across wearables, tablets, and smart displays has strengthened its advantages. The foldable category itself is trending toward a two-device rhythm per year, mirroring the conventional flagship cycle and strengthening consumer familiarity.
Beyond product innovation, the surge in shipments aligns with changing consumer expectations. Foldables have transitioned from experimental devices to productivity-centric tools, particularly in markets where remote work, content creation, and multitasking drive purchasing behavior. Larger inner displays, multi-window features, and desktop-style app continuity remain central to the appeal.
Market watchers expect global foldable demand to accelerate further in 2026 as production costs continue to fall and more entry-level and mid-tier foldables enter the market. If that occurs, the category may shift from premium exclusivity toward broader mass acceptance.
For now, Samsung’s leadership remains unchallenged. Its ability to translate design improvements into commercial scale has positioned the brand miles ahead of rivals, in a category many analysts predicted would stagnate after early hype. Instead, foldables are becoming one of the fastest-growing premium smartphone segments worldwide.
