In 2021, global foldable mobile phone shipments (including clamshell and folding dimensions) totaled 7.1 million units, an increase of 264.3% over the same period last year. Shipments in 2020 are 1.9 million units. IDC, an international data firm, recently forecasts that foldable mobile phone shipments will reach 27.6 million units in 2025 and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 69.9% from 2020 to 2025.
IDC Forecast
According to IDC, the increase in folding screen mobile phone shipments in 2021 is largely due to the success of Samsung, the South Korean giant company with its latest foldable flagship product to make waves in the market. The Flip3's new design has won over consumers for its compact folding size (which fits into a pocket), a larger outer screen, and, most importantly, a price of just $999. The new Fold3 also has a big improvement, but the price is still much higher and overall more like a niche product.
Samsung Z Flip3
IDC said that although the market share is small, foldable products are a significant opportunity for suppliers. From a consumer perspective, foldable phones represent the most innovative visual change in smartphones, so it is a segment of the market that suppliers cannot ignore, and the commercial sector is also seeing foldable products being pushed into the market as an alternative to mobile phones and tablets
Anthony Scarsella, research manager for global quarterly cell phone tracking at IDC, said: "Samsung has proven that consumers will have demand for foldable phones once the price is right and has a more stable structure. Thanks to its foldable devices, the Flip and Fold fill the void of the Samsung Galaxy Note while attracting new consumers. We've already seen other vendors launch new foldable products this year, and as form factors become more popular, we expect more players to try to take market share from Samsung. ”
Honor Magic V
It's worth mentioning that "while foldable devices have shipments of 7.1 million units in 2021 and don't have a big market share, they account for a third of the high-end ($1,000+) Android phone market." As a result, foldable devices like 5G will soon become iconic and expected features of the high-end Android market. Nabila Popal, research director of IDC's global quarterly cell phone tracker, said.