China's Huawei to Launch 'Triple Foldable Phone' in First Half of the Year
Samsung Electronics' 'foldable phone,' which had maintained the world's overwhelming number one sales position, ranked last in sales in China. Samsung is the absolute leader that launched the world's first foldable phone in 2019. At one point, its market share reached 60-70%. However, it could not withstand the 'patriotic consumption' trend in China, the world's largest market.
According to market research firm IDC on the 27th, Samsung's market share in the Chinese foldable smartphone market in the first quarter of this year dropped sharply to 5.9%, ranking 5th. Considering that there are still very few companies making foldable phones, this is effectively last place. Compared to Samsung's 11% market share in China's foldable phone market last year, it has been halved in just one year.
The first place was taken by China's Huawei with an overwhelming 44.1% market share. Honor ranked second with 26.7%, Vivo third with 12.6%, and Oppo fourth with 9%.
Samsung smartphones are struggling in China, the world's largest market. Their market share is at the 0-1% level. Nevertheless, Samsung had never conceded the foldable phone segment to China. However, with China rapidly catching up and the formation of a 'patriotic consumption' atmosphere, Samsung's market share has sharply declined.
Not only in China but also in the global market, there are analyses predicting that Samsung Electronics will lose the number one position to China. The global market research firm DSCC also predicted that China's Huawei would push Samsung out by leveraging its domestic market strength and become the number one in foldable phones.
Huawei aims to launch twice-folding phone in first half of the year... Samsung on alert
Meanwhile, Huawei is preparing to launch the world's first 'triple foldable phone' that folds twice, targeting release in the second quarter of this year. IT specialized media PhoneArena, citing Chinese sources, reported that Huawei will surpass Samsung Electronics, which has led the foldable phone market, and release the triple foldable phone first in the world. When fully unfolded, the foldable phone's screen becomes three times wider, serving as a tablet.
It is reported that Huawei has been researching triple folding display technology since 2021. They started filing related technology patents in 2021 and made additional filings twice in March and July of 2022.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
