Counterpoint Research is out with a new report forecasting 21% year-over-year growth in global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, with Apple expected to capture a 25% share following its entry into this market. Here are the details.
Apple could account for one in four foldable smartphone shipments in 2026
In a report published this week, Counterpoint Research forecasts that Samsung will retain its lead in global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, despite its share falling from 40% in 2025 to 32%.
Apple is expected to debut in second place with a 25% share, narrowly ahead of Huawei at 24%, down from 30% last year. Motorola is projected to follow with 8%, down from 12%, while HONOR’s share is expected to fall from 7% to 3%. Other brands are forecast to account for the remaining 8%, compared with 11% in 2025.
Across the market, Counterpoint expects Apple’s entry to help drive a 21% year-over-year increase in global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, “intensifying competition in the premium book-type foldable segment.”
Top comment by BlueBoomerang
While I personally have no interest in the foldable style, but after seeing Samsung's reintroduction of a "modern" or current generation book-style foldable, I do admit the novelty of them is kind of intriguing. But I see the apple fold/ultra to be exact same as the first gen Air, great engineering but just overpriced and not worth it. I think it will be successful in getting people to the Apple Store to check it out, but ultimately not buy it and opt for another model, but maybe I'll be wrong
From the report:
“A wider book-type design could become more relevant as AI features move beyond chat-based interactions into everyday workflows. Tasks such as summarizing documents, editing content, managing schedules and moving information across apps all benefit from more screen space and a more flexible layout. For Samsung, a wider Fold model would offer a stronger canvas to show how foldables can support AI-assisted productivity in a more practical way.”
The report comes on the heels of Samsung’s announcement of its next-generation foldables, led by the new passport-style Galaxy Z Fold8.
Its shorter, wider design resembles the form factor rumored for Apple’s foldable iPhone Ultra, though Samsung mobile product chief Drew Blackard told Joanna Stern that any similarity is coincidental:
To read Counterpoint Research’s full report, follow this link.
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