Huawei and Apple Projected to Ship 5 Million Foldable Devices Each in 2026 According to TrendForce

A recent report released by TrendForce highlights major shifts in the foldable smartphone market, forecasting that both Huawei and Apple will achieve impressive shipment milestones. With upcoming innovations and rising consumer demand, the competition in the foldable device sector is heating up significantly for the coming years.

Foldable Smartphone Market Share and Shipment Projections for 2026

TrendForce has published comprehensive insights following Apple's entry into the foldable arena with the iPhone Duo. The report estimates that both Apple and Huawei will capture a substantial 24.8% market share each by shipping approximately 5 million foldable units in 2026. Meanwhile, South Korean tech giant Samsung is expected to secure the top spot with 7.1 million shipments, translating to a 35.1% market share.

Market expectations point toward flagship devices such as the Mate XT 2, Pura X Max, and the iPhone Duo becoming major commercial successes. However, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is anticipated to maintain its strong competitive edge in the global foldable race.

The global foldable market continues to evolve past early hardware hurdles. Current manufacturing trends emphasize ultra-slim profiles, lightweight chassis designs, reduced screen creases, and enhanced structural durability. Furthermore, advanced hardware components like Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG), optically transparent adhesives (OCA), and improved OLED panels are becoming standard industry benchmarks.

Beyond physical attributes, artificial intelligence integration is emerging as a primary catalyst for consumer adoption. Features such as real-time language translation, automated content generation, advanced image processing, cross-application multitasking, and document summarization are rapidly becoming essential tools for users worldwide.

Concluding their market evaluation, TrendForce noted that 2026 will likely serve as a transformative restructuring period for the foldable phone industry, with high demand for new entries successfully bridging previous market gaps.

What is the projected foldable smartphone shipment for Apple and Huawei in 2026?

TrendForce projects that both Apple and Huawei will each ship approximately 5 million foldable units in 2026, capturing a 24.8% market share each.

Which company is expected to lead the global foldable market in 2026?

Samsung is expected to lead global shipments with an estimated 7.1 million units, securing a 35.1% market share.

What key factors are driving the growth of foldable smartphones?

Growth is primarily driven by improvements in slimness, lightweight designs, reduced screen creases, enhanced durability, and powerful AI capabilities like real-time translation and content generation.

Which specific models are anticipated to be top sellers?

Key devices expected to dominate sales include the Huawei Mate XT 2, Pura X Max, Apple iPhone Duo, and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8.

🔎 Ultimately, the 2026 market projections underscore a pivotal maturation phase for foldable technology. As industry leaders refine both hardware durability and intelligent software features, consumers can look forward to more reliable, versatile, and feature-rich folding devices that seamlessly bridge the gap between smartphones and tablets.