Global foldable smartphone shipments witnessed a notable 14 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, signaling growing consumer interest in premium, innovative devices. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, foldables now account for 2.5 percent of overall global smartphone shipments, underscoring the segment’s gradual but steady penetration into mainstream markets. Analysts attribute this growth to the rising popularity of book-style foldables and improved device durability, which have helped alleviate early consumer hesitations.

Samsung continues to dominate the foldable smartphone landscape, reclaiming its market leadership with a 64 percent share in Q3 2025. The South Korean tech giant saw a 32 percent YoY increase in foldable shipments, largely driven by the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The model’s strong performance is said to have exceeded Samsung’s internal forecasts, signaling renewed confidence in the brand after a dip in market share in the previous quarter caused by Motorola’s unexpected growth.

Huawei held its position as the second-largest foldable smartphone vendor globally, posting a steady 10 percent YoY growth in the quarter. The continued success of the Mate series helped Huawei maintain its premium market appeal. Meanwhile, Vivo emerged as a key player in the book-style foldable segment, recording a remarkable 67 percent increase in shipments, highlighting the brand’s aggressive push into innovative form factors and premium smartphone segments.

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Motorola benefited significantly from the growing interest in clamshell-style foldables, with shipments rising 16 percent YoY in Q3 2025. The Lenovo-owned company’s Razr 60 series has become a popular choice among consumers seeking compact, pocket-friendly foldable devices. In contrast, Xiaomi and Honor faced challenging quarters, with Xiaomi’s foldable shipments plunging 54 percent YoY and Honor dropping 31 percent, reflecting the intense competition in this nascent market.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint Research anticipates that foldable smartphones will experience even stronger growth in 2026. Industry experts believe that Apple’s rumored entry into the foldable space could act as a catalyst, particularly in the premium segment, by validating the form factor and attracting new consumers. The potential launch is expected to create ripple effects across competitors, driving innovation and further adoption.

The evolution of multi-form-factor foldables, including experimental devices like the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design and Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, indicates a shift from aggressive scaling to practical, user-centric testing. These experimental models reflect manufacturers’ growing confidence in foldable technology and their commitment to refining the user experience before mass-market rollout. As the market matures, both book-style and clamshell foldables are poised to capture a larger share of the global smartphone ecosystem.

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