The foldable smartphone market is slowing down, one manufacturer is already throwing in the towel

According to the Chinese publication 163.coma major smartphone brand has reportedly paused the development of its large-screen foldable models. The identity of this brand, however, remains undisclosed.

Although the foldable device market has generated initial excitement, there remains a niche segment. Profitability in this area has largely been limited to established players like Huawei and Samsung, while other manufacturers, including the anonymous brand, are still exploring the viability of this format.

Several manufacturers are experiencing difficulties with their foldable smartphones

Xiaomi is a good example. Its recent launch, the Mix Flip, has been very successful, with sales expected to exceed 460,000 units by the end of the year. This enthusiasm contrasts sharply with the Mix Fold 4, a larger foldable model, which would have difficulty reaching 100,000 units.

Meanwhile, another Chinese brand, Oppo, has clearly postponed the launch of its latest foldable models, the Find N5, by a year. He is still uncertain that the devices will be presented in 2025.

Transsion, a major player in overseas markets, also appears to be moving away from the foldable phone business. Its recent launches, the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2, V Flip and Infinix Zero Flip, seem to be a last stand. Reports even suggest that the brand has halted any further development on foldable smartphones.

These developments come amid a broader slowdown in China’s foldable device market. According to IDC’s latest report, Q3 2024 shipments reached 2.23 million units, an increase of only 13.6% year-over-year. Enough to scare many manufacturers, especially if we compare this to the explosive growth observed over the last two years.