The foldable smartphone market is on the brink of significant change, with Apple reportedly preparing to launch its first clamshell-style foldable phone and Huawei set to introduce the world’s first tri-folding smartphone with dual hinges. According to Securities Daily, Huawei’s prototype is complete, and mass production is expected to begin in late 2024. The device is anticipated to feature advanced AI technology, enhancing its appeal.
Huawei has recently led the foldable smartphone market, overtaking Samsung in the first quarter of this year with a 35 percent market share. However, restrictions on American technology limit its global reach and foreign sales.
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Apple is expected to unveil its foldable iPhone around 2026, with The Information reporting that the company is negotiating with Asian suppliers for parts. This move indicates Apple’s entry into the rapidly growing foldable phone sector, currently dominated by Huawei, Xiaomi, Samsung, and Oppo.
Despite a general slowdown in the smartphone industry, the foldable smartphone segment is thriving, with shipments in China more than doubling from 3.2 million units in 2022 to 7.01 million in 2023. As Apple prepares to enter the high-end market, competition among major players has intensified.
Xiaomi recently launched its Mix Fold 4 book-style foldable and Mix Flip clamshell model, while Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 with AI features developed in collaboration with ByteDance’s Duobao language model. As the foldable smartphone market grows, Apple and Huawei are poised to play major roles in shaping its future.
