Samsung Foldable Phone Market Share Drops Sharply... Chinese Oppo and Huawei's Pursuit

Samsung's Q1 Market Share Drops to 45%
Previously Exceeded 80%... Impact of Chinese Competition
Oppo and Huawei Brands Show Strong Market Share

Chinese foldable smartphones are rapidly catching up with industry leader Samsung Electronics. It has been revealed that they have taken about half of Samsung's market share.

According to a report on the 18th (local time) by IT specialized media 'SamMobile', citing analysis data from a global market research firm, Samsung's market share in the global foldable phone market for the first quarter (January to March) was 45%. While still maintaining the world’s number one position, this is nearly half compared to the past when the share exceeded 80%.

The decline in Samsung's market share is attributed to the pursuit by Chinese companies. Chinese companies, which previously had little presence in the foldable phone market, have begun to stand out. In fact, in January this year, Oppo ranked second with 21% market share, and Huawei was third with 15%.

Chinese companies are emerging as leaders in the foldable phone market.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

By product type, for 'flip' type foldable phones that fold vertically, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 accounted for 27%, and Huawei S Pocket 15%. For 'folder' type products that fold horizontally, Galaxy Z Fold4 had 13%, Oppo Find N2 Flip 11%, and Huawei Merit X3 6% in order.

The technological capabilities of Chinese companies' foldable phones are also improving day by day. In the past, issues such as durability of the hinge?the folding part of foldable phones?and crease problems were repeatedly pointed out, but recently, it is reported that they possess manufacturing technology comparable to Samsung.

Especially at the 'MWC 2023' electronics event held in Barcelona, Spain, last February, some Chinese companies directly mentioned Samsung and expressed their competitive spirit. Huawei’s subsidiary 'Honor' unveiled the foldable smartphone 'Magic Vs' and claimed, "We have implemented the technology to fold the smartphone flat, which Samsung has not perfectly achieved."

However, SamMobile pointed out that the market share could dramatically change in the second quarter of this year. This is because new brands are entering as the foldable phone market expands.

Google’s first foldable phone, the 'Pixel Fold', is scheduled for release in the second quarter, and Motorola recently confirmed the launch of a foldable phone on June 1 through its Chinese social media account.

Meanwhile, Samsung is expected to release the next-generation flagship foldable phones 'Galaxy Z Fold5 and Flip5' in the second half of this year. Earlier, at the 'CES 2023' exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA, in January, Samsung Display unveiled next-generation waterdrop-shaped hinge technology to be applied to the new products.