Huawei entered the market for folding smartphones equipped with 5G in force in the first quarter, allowing the Chinese giant to easily overtake Samsung, the long-time leader in the sector. However, things could balance out in the coming months thanks to the launch of the new generations of Galaxy Fold and Flip.
Huawei literally crushed the competition in the folding field. While the manufacturer represented 14% of the market in the first quarter of 2023, it posted exceptional growth in deliveries of 257% (!) over one year, according to Counterpoint’s survey. The Chinese company now has 35% market share, far ahead Samsung (23%) which has always held pole position.
Samsung far behind Huawei
This three-digit increase is the result of the integration of 5G in Huawei’s folding smartphones, which were deprived of it until very recently (it is always complicated at this level for the manufacturer due to American sanctions). The proportion of 5G-enabled devices increased by 84% of the company’s total shipments in the first quarter. The Mate X5, launched last September, is one of the best-sellers on the market.
If Huawei’s 257% can impress, wait until you see the growth figures from other manufacturers! +460% for Honor (with the Magic V2) and above all +1,473% for Motorola (thanks to the Razr 40, a big hit in the United States), both capturing 12 and 11% of the market respectively. In fact, the progress of these manufacturers came at the expense of Samsung, which saw its deliveries drop by 42% from one year to the next.
Samsung market shares could rebound by the end of the year thanks to the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, which will probably be presented on July 10 in Paris. Counterpoint notes that the folding market grew 49% in the first quarter of 2024, the highest growth rate in six quarters.
And for the first time since 2021, “book” devices, like the Z Fold, represent the majority of deliveries (55%). However, flip models, like the Z Flip, should contribute more to the dynamism of the market this year.
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