According to Counterpoint Research, the global market for foldable smartphones grew 111.2 percent year-over-year in the first quarter to 1.5 million units, with Samsung still holding more than half the market. In fact, it was Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 that accounted for much of the growth. Chinese brands OPPO, Huawei, and HONOR also showed up on the list. 

In the first quarter, Samsung grabbed 65 percent of the market, up from 51 percent at the same time last year, while Huawei came in second with 19 percent. Oppo, Xiaomi, Motorola, and HONOR followed. Meanwhile, the market for such phones is expected to grow 83.5 percent year-over-year this year. 

“New foldable smartphone models from Chinese brands are focused on the home market so far,” Counterpoint’s Senior Analyst Jene Park said in the release. “Therefore, Samsung’s foldable smartphone leadership is not expected to be shaken this year. However, from 2023, when Chinese OEMs are expected to expand into the global foldable market, full-scale competition may be seen in various markets.”

Counterpoint also said that the barriers to entry for this particular category are notably high. A recent report found that Google’s Pixel Notepad product will be delayed until 2023. “The foldable smartphone is a technology-intensive product that requires the technical perfection of hinges and the foldable display,” Park added. “The degree of weight reduction and battery efficiency is also important. So, it is not easy to enter the market except for major global OEMs. Though the competition is expected to intensify from 2023, the number of participants is expected to be limited.”

Apple has yet to launch a foldable phone. Chances of that happening have yet to be confirmed, although Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted some info earlier this month. “Apple is testing E Ink's Electronic Paper Display (EPD) for future foldable device's cover screen & tablet-like applications,” the analyst said on Twitter on May 17. “The color EPD has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices' must-have cover/second screen thanks to its excellent power-saving.”

Ross Young, of Display Supply Chain Consultants, was skeptical about whether that could work. “E Ink’s electrophoretic display tech. is great for low-power applications like retail shelf labels. But it does not show video well and has limited colors. I would be surprised if they would devote a full-size cover display to it,  it could be a limited notification display.” 

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: Reuters