Samsung flips the foldable market script with bold comeback

Samsung made a strong return in the worldwide foldable market in the third quarter of the year. IDC reports that the global foldable smartphone market had a sharp shakeup during the July-September period this year.

The company faced intense competition from Chinese brands in the first half of 2024. However, its aggressive strategy and innovative devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 have pushed it back to the forefront once again.

IDC highlights that the foldable market grew by 23.6% during the third quarter. It shows the gradually increasing shift toward the new form factor. Huawei recently launched the world’s first tri-fold phone which has two foldable screens.

In particular, Samsung’s share in the foldable market rose from 14.8% in Q2 to 51.2% in Q3. This impressive performance is a testament to the success of their latest foldable handsets and targetted marketing strategies.

IDC report on 3Q24 Foldable Smartphone Market

Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei, and Motorola continue to be formidable players, collectively holding a 48.8% market share in the quarter ended on September 30. Among them, Samsung foldables are only available in the mass market.

Samsung working on its tri-fold phone. Recently, the US patent authority published a Samsung patent, revealing its plans for new form factors. The company may launch rollable and tri-fold display smartphones in the future.

Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition

Samsung launched a slimmer and larger foldable phone – Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition – in South Korea and China. The initial three stocks in Korea and the first in China sold out within minutes after the opening of the sale.

It is expected that the next Galaxy Z Fold, which will launch in 2025, will be inspired by the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition’s design and specifications. A durable hinge and display will likely debut alongside a powerful camera setup.