If you thought the foldable craze got crazy when only Android OEMs were involved, it got even crazier with the Apple iPhone Duo. A recent analytics report for Q3 2026 spells out how crazy things got and what 2027 could have in store.
A report by Smart Analytics Global (SAG) on global foldable shipment performance in Q3 2026 highlights one Android OEM's staggering lead. The report states that global foldable shipments declined 2% YoY, which translates to "over 7.5 million units shipped." However, Samsung saw a 13% YoY increase this past quarter, thanks to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, accounting for 69% of the foldable market share.
This is important—the form factor, specifically. The Fold 8 is the company's first wide-foldable. Many other OEMs, such as Chinese companies, have also adopted this wider, often shorter foldable design. SAG's report states Samsung experienced "double-digit shipment growth in both South Korea and Europe," as well. A notable competitor, Huawei, accounts for 14% of the foldable share in Q3.
The Pura X View was a significant contributor, despite the report noting a small YoY decline in shipments.
SAG then flips the script. While the market has struggled, it forecasts "a new growth cycle" next year. Shipments might grow 55% YoY in 2027. Wide foldables might account for most phone shipments next year, driven by Samsung's device, the Apple iPhone Duo, and others from Chinese makers.
The market is suffering
Some of this data is a little interesting. This was a while ago, but in 2024, Huawei topped Samsung in foldable shipments. The Chinese OEM became the world's leader in foldable shipments. This was a "turning point," one could say, for Samsung. It came at a time when many believed Samsung had become complacent with its Galaxy Z series: the Flip and Fold.
Samsung's shipments fell 42% year-over-year in Q1 2024, while Huawei increased by a massive 257% YoY. Currently, you have Huawei's Pura X View, the industry's first wide foldable, which didn't perform as well for the company as the Fold 8 did for Samsung. SAG's 2027 outlook is certainly intriguing, but it will take consumers buying new phones to make it happen.
In the broader phone market, global shipments plummeted in Q3, marking the lowest level in 14 years. The market dropped 20% YoY. Still, Samsung claimed the top spot because of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra.
Android Central's Take
Everything is in flux right now. Some analysts foresee a turnaround, while others firmly believe we're in for more trying times in 2027. The main thing is pricing. If phones are priced well and buyers can afford them, things will change. But we've seen how prices have gone. Moto's Signature 27 is $1,599, and that's not even a foldable—it's a standard slab phone. Other foldables are $2,000; I know we were all paying attention to Apple's iPhone Duo launch. Wide foldables are cool (I almost got one), but plenty of variables are getting in the way of a turnaround.