Foldable Smartphone Market Projected to Grow by 44% by 2026

New Standards in the Foldable Market

The technology sector is entering a new phase for foldable smartphones. According to the latest forecasts from Omdia, shipments of foldable AMOLED screens are expected to increase by 44% in 2026 compared to the previous year. The primary driver of this growth is the wide-fold design, which is gaining increasing favour among consumers.

New standards are taking root, moving away from the traditionally narrow and elongated foldable devices. The success of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the new iPhone Duo has demonstrated that consumers prefer more comfortable, tablet-like proportions. This shift in popularity has compelled manufacturers to adjust their product strategies accordingly.

Samsung’s Dominance and Rising Competition

Samsung continues to maintain a leading position in this segment. The company manufactures screens not only for its own devices but also for other brands. Current data suggests that by 2026, Samsung's share of the foldable screen market could grow to 66%. This indicates that the South Korean giant will exert a decisive influence on industry trends.

However, the market is not limited to Samsung alone. While the share of Chinese manufacturers is expected to decline, competition remains intense. Motorola is already planning to release its own wide-format foldable smartphone, signalling that other technology companies are striving to keep pace with the standards established by Apple and Samsung.

Future Expectations

The popularity of foldable devices is growing in Georgia as well. The reduction in costs and the expansion of mass production for wide-format models will make these devices more accessible to local consumers. While foldable smartphones were previously considered an experimental category, by 2026 they will become fully fledged devices intended for everyday use.

Analyst projections confirm that we are approaching a period where foldable screens will occupy a significant portion of the smartphone market. For consumers, this means more choice and improved ergonomics, while for technology companies, it represents a battle to perfect innovative design and display quality.