Abstract

This IDC study presents our updated five-year forecast for foldable phone shipments worldwide. The worldwide foldable phone market will reach 7.1 million foldable phones in 2021, up 264.3% from the 1.9 million units shipped in 2020. Total foldable shipments worldwide will reach 27.6 million units by 2025, resulting in a CAGR of 69.9% for 2020–2025.

"The recent success of the new foldable devices from Samsung this year has given new life to the category as competitors rush to enter the market," said Anthony Scarsella, research manager with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. "Samsung has proven that there is consumer demand for foldable phones once they hit the right price and feature a more stable build. Thanks to its foldable devices, the Flip and the Fold have filled the Galaxy Note gap for Samsung while attracting new consumers to the brand. We have already witnessed other vendors launching new foldables this year, and we expect more players to attempt to take share away from Samsung as the form factor grows in popularity."

"Although the foldables are not expected to capture a significant share, with 7.1 million devices in 2021, they are expected to take over a third of the premium ($1,000+) Android market. So it will not be long before foldables, just like 5G, become a signature and expected feature of the premium Android market," said Nabila Popal, research director with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. "While the importance of foldable is no longer in question to any brand that wants a share of the premium Android space, what is interesting to vendors now is the battle between the Flip and the Fold form factors. Current data suggests the Flip version to be more popular. However, I think it is still too early in the game to declare a clear winner, and something vendors should continue to keep a close eye on as the total foldable market continues to grow and attract new vendors to the market."

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