There’s an impending shift in the foldable smartphone landscape, with Apple reportedly gearing up to launch a clamshell-style device and Huawei on the verge of introducing a tri-folding smartphone.
Huawei is preparing to debut the world’s first tri-folding smartphone with dual hinges, with prototype development completed and mass production slated to commence in late 2024. The new device is expected to feature advanced AI technology, enhancing its appeal.
Huawei has demonstrated notable success in the foldable smartphone sector, leading the market in the first quarter of this year with a 35 percent share, surpassing Samsung. However, restrictions on access to American technology have limited Huawei’s international appeal and constrained its foreign sales.
Apple, on the other hand, is anticipated to launch its first foldable iPhone, potentially as early as 2026. Reports suggest that Apple is engaging with Asian suppliers to develop components for this upcoming device, indicating its commitment to entering the rapidly growing foldable phone market.
This move positions Apple against established competitors like Huawei, Xiaomi, Samsung Electronics, and Oppo, who currently dominate the foldable smartphone space. Despite a general slowdown in the smartphone industry, the foldable smartphone sector is experiencing significant activity and competition.
China’s foldable smartphone market is rapidly expanding, with shipments soaring from 3.2 million units in 2022 to 7.01 million in 2023. The surge in market activity, driven by Apple’s anticipated entry into the high-end segment, has intensified competition among major players.
Recently, Xiaomi introduced the Mix Fold 4, a book-style foldable, and the Mix Flip, a clamshell variant. Samsung also launched the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6, incorporating AI-driven features developed in collaboration with ByteDance’s Duobao language model.
As the foldable smartphone market continues to evolve, Apple and Huawei are poised to play pivotal roles in shaping its future.
