Samsung is expected to remain the leading manufacturer in the global foldable smartphone market in 2026. This is according to a forecast by market research firm Counterpoint.
Apple follows in second place with a 25 percent market share, despite its first foldable phone shipping only tomorrow - well into the 2026's fourth quarter. Despite a short sales window in 2026, Counterpoint projects sales of up to six million foldable iPhone Duos, as Apple is hitting the important year-end business with its new release. This is despite the Duo being its most expensive phone so far.
In a segment currently dominated by Samsung, Apple's market entry represents not just an expansion of its product lineup, but also a direct challenge to the market leader. This also highlights the fact that the foldables market is currently concentrated among a few major players. Huawei trails Samsung (and soon Apple) at a 22-percent market share projected for 2026, while Motorola, Honor and other manufacturers hold significantly smaller shares of the nascent market.
