Driven by the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, consumer interest in clamshell and foldable smartphones has also increased significantly. In 2021 alone, its sales will reach 7.1 million units, an increase of 264.3% from 1.9 million units in 2020.
In addition, market intelligence company IDC predicts that the market is expected to grow to 27.6 million units in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 69.9% from 2020 to 2025.
By then, the share of folding/clamshell smartphones is expected to more than double the current share, accounting for 1.7% of all smartphones.
IDC attributes the rapid growth to Samsung, which released the popular Galaxy Z Flip 3 last August and is expected to release the Galaxy Z Flip 4 / Z Fold 4 later this year.
Although the South Korean tech giant has not disclosed exact hardware sales figures, it has also said that sales of folding-screen smartphones will quadruple in 2021.
According to IDC data, the foldable smartphone market in 2021 is still relatively niche (0.5% of the overall), but Samsung is attracting more and more customers.
Citing information from trade-ins and other retailers, Android Central learned:
Samsung attracted 150% more new users from other brands than customers who switched from the Galaxy Note 20. And users converted from the Galaxy S21 also increased by 140%.
According to Nabila Popal, research director at IDC, Samsung’s new product has cleared two hurdles in the field — high average selling prices and a lack of confidence in the device’s durability.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 / Flip 3 sells for around $1,000, while durability has been greatly improved. Although the demand side is still niche, they have shown the world that consumers have a healthy demand for foldable devices.
In just one quarter, the company doubled global sales. For me, this was a successful launch. Finally, she said the US is the largest market for foldable (about 35%). The promotions and trade-in preferential policies of major operators have played a practical and effective role in promoting them.