Global shipments of foldable phones are projected to surge in 2026, driven by new designs and rumors of an Apple foldable. Manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei are introducing trifold and widescreen variants, expanding options beyond traditional flip and book-style models. Market growth reflects increasing viability after years of refinement.
Foldable phones, after six years on the market, entered 2025 with design refinements that boosted their appeal. According to IDC, global shipments grew 10% in 2025 compared to 2024, with a forecasted 30% year-on-year increase in 2026, partly fueled by rumors of a foldable iPhone from Apple featuring a passport-size design.
Huawei has dominated China's foldable market, capturing 68.9% share in the third quarter of 2025, per IDC data reported via MyDrivers. Its innovations include the trifold Huawei Mate XT, which offers versatile modes as a phone, mini-tablet, and 16:11 wide-screen tablet, and the widescreen flip Huawei Pura X with a 6.3-inch 16:10 display ideal for videos and reading.
Samsung, a veteran in the category with its Galaxy Z Flip and Fold series, is preparing new entries. Rumors point to a Galaxy Z TriFold for productivity, unfolding into a 10-inch tablet without a mini-tablet mode, and a "Wide Fold" with a 5.4-inch cover screen supporting 25-watt wireless charging, potentially launching in July 2026 alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8.
By 2026, four foldable types are expected: flip phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for pocketability with 6.9-inch screens; book-style models such as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Oppo Find N5, and Honor Magic V5, which unfold into mini-tablets aided by slimmer hinges and silicon-carbon batteries; trifolds for all-in-one versatility; and widescreen foldables minimizing letterboxing for media. Apple may follow with a similar wide design in the fall.
These developments introduce competition to the dominant slab-phone market, offering varied sizes and functions, though high prices may limit mainstream adoption.
