The foldable phone market has been struggling, with shipments of folding displays decreasing for the first time in 2024. According to a report from Digital Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), demand for foldable displays decreased by 38% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024. This decline comes despite several well-received flagship foldable releases this year, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
The rumored folding iPhone, expected to arrive in 2026, could be a game-changer for the market. Apple’s entry into the foldable phone segment is likely to boost sales and give the entire market a significant boost. However, it’s worth noting that foldable phones are consistently more expensive than their slab phone counterparts, which may limit their appeal.
The report predicts that even the most popular folding phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, will sell 10% less than its predecessor. This suggests that the industry is bracing for a quiet year before the rumored folding iPhone arrives. However, if Apple’s entry proves successful, we could see a surge in foldable fever.
For now, it seems the market is holding steady at around 22 million shipments per year, with demand expected to decrease by 4% in 2025. The industry will need to adapt and find ways to make foldable phones more affordable if they want to attract more customers.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/phones/the-rumored-foldable-iphone-could-save-a-stagnant-folding-phone-market-according-to-a-new-report