Foldable phone shipments peaked in Q3 2022 when all OEMs combined posted more than 500% growth and shipment figures of over 6 million. Since then, foldable phone shipments have declined year-on-year for two consecutive quarters. And in Q1 2023, only 2.1 million units were shipped.
Samsung maintained the lead above all other foldable phone manufacturers. However, its Q1 shipment share fell to its second-lowest level yet, at 45%. During the same quarter, the 2nd largest foldable phone brand, shipment-wise, was Oppo. The latter OEM captured a share of 21%. (via @DSCCRoss)
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 led the popularity charts
Although Samsung's shipments declined, the company managed to create two of the most popular phones on the market last year, and that success carried over to the first quarter of 2023.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 was the most popular foldable phone in Q1 2023, with a market share of 27%. Interestingly, the second-most popular foldable phone came from Huawei. It was the Pocket S, which recorded a 15% market share. Then came the Galaxy Z Fold 4 at 13%, followed by the Oppo Find N2 Flip at 11%, and the Huawei Mate X3 at 6%.
The next quarters will be very interesting to watch as more OEMs, including Google, plan to release new foldable phones. The Pixel Fold
is coming in June. And, of course, Samsung will launch its Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 next-gen foldable phones this year, with rumors claiming that the company may even bring these phones to the market earlier than anticipated.
