Huawei Leads Foldable Phone Market Despite Overall Decline
Q4 2024 Market Overview
The global foldable smartphone market experienced an 18% decline in Q4 2024, with shipments totaling 3.8 million units. Despite this downturn, competition remains fierce, with Huawei emerging as the new market leader.
Huawei's Rise to Dominance
Huawei secured the top spot for the first time, capturing 31.2% of the market share, surpassing Samsung, which now holds 26.7%. Honor followed in third place with 14.3%, while Motorola maintained its fourth position with 9.0% due to the popularity of its Razr series. This shift in market dynamics highlights the evolving landscape of foldable devices, potentially influenced by innovative designs like the Oppo Find N5.
Asia-Pacific as the Key Market
The Asia-Pacific region continues to be the primary market for foldable phones, accounting for 73% of global shipments. Huawei leads in this region with a significant 42.5% market share. Other prominent brands in the region include Honor, Samsung, vivo, and Xiaomi. The focus on this region suggests manufacturers are considering regional preferences, similar to Apple and Samsung's AI strategies in China.
Huawei's Pocket 3: A Potential Game Changer
Huawei's upcoming Pocket 3, a compact clamshell-style foldable phone, is anticipated to further solidify the company's market position. Expected to launch in late March 2025, the Pocket 3 is rumored to be thinner, smaller, and lighter than its predecessors, appealing particularly to female consumers. This strategy of targeting specific demographics mirrors the approach taken with devices like the Samsung Galaxy A06 5G, aiming for broader accessibility.
Intensifying Competition
The foldable phone market is highly competitive, with brands constantly innovating to attract consumers. Huawei's recent success puts pressure on competitors like Samsung to respond strategically. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Huawei can maintain its lead or if Samsung will regain its position.