Global foldable smartphone shipments are poised for a strong resurgence after a brief slowdown in 2025, according to a new forecast from Omdia. The market segment is expected to see sustained annual growth of over 20% between 2026 and 2028, reaching an impressive 36 million units by 2028.
While 2025 is projected to see a lower year-on-year growth of 6%, with 18.2 million units shipped, the market will regain momentum in the following years. Omdia data indicates a 21.6% year-on-year decline in the first half of 2026, with clamshell models seeing a significant drop and book-style foldables remaining relatively stable. This dip is expected to be a temporary phase before the market returns to its high-growth trajectory.
The Rise of the “Wide Fold”
A key driver for this new wave of growth is the emerging “wide fold” category, pioneered by Huawei’s Pura X Max. This innovative form factor offers a wider display ratio, providing a larger effective screen area in both the outer and inner displays. Crucially, it achieves this while maintaining a lighter device profile, enhancing user efficiency in both productivity and daily life scenarios.
Industry insiders suggest that leading manufacturers have already revised their production targets for “wide fold” devices upwards for the current year. With more market players expected to enter this promising segment, the foldable smartphone market is set for an exciting expansion.
