Digitimes Research estimates that about 18.3 million foldable smartphones are shipped in 2022, with Samsung accounting for 75% of the volumes. The total shipments are expected to rise to 27.8 million in 2023, with Samsung’s market share decreasing to 66% due to competition from other major competitors, but the Korean brand will continue to be the industry leader.
Digitimes Research
Analyst Comment
Data from DSCC last month had suggested that the record Q3’22 sales for foldables was going to suffer a slowdown in Q4 with part of the blame being the Apple iPhone 14 launch. But Apple is likely to be a foldable competitor soon, according to Digitimes, and the impact of supply chains as a result of various sanctions on the Chinese market remains a possible issue.
Typically, if Chinese companies like Huawei had a freer hand to distribute its products without the hinderance of US sanctions, the dynamics of the market would be different. Nevertheless, once we see budget foldables gain traction in the market, the actual outlook should be significant if only because smartphones are fashion victims meaning that people tend to want the newest and latest tech.
In the meantime, Samsung reaps the rewards of having a free hand to manufacturer and sell its products around the world. Most of the foldable market is going to be the upper tier of smartphones and if you can’t be in the US market with product for those tiers, you will lag in terms of market clout.
