Foldable smartphone shipments were up in Q1 2022, and Samsung led the charge with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Galaxy Z Fold 3. It shouldn't surprise anyone who has followed Samsung's progress in this growing market segment in the previous months or years, but it is worth noting that Huawei's presence in the foldable market grew in the first three months of 2022.
2.22 million foldable phones were shipped in Q1 2022, representing a massive 571% year-on-year increase. Foldable panel shipments, phone production, and phone shipments doubled in 2022 compared to 2021. (DSCC via @DSCCRoss)
Huawei found success on the back of the P50 Pocket. The latter is a foldable flip phone similar — in form factor — to the Galaxy Z Flip 3 but lacks many features the Flip 3 has. And even though it is more expensive than Samsung's flip phone, Huawei somehow managed to ship enough P50 Pockets to cover almost 20% of all foldable smartphone shipments in Q1 2022.
Huawei shipped nearly as many P50 Pockets as Samsung did Z Fold 3s, although most were likely recorded in China, where Huawei maintains relevancy. As usual, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 led the segment worldwide with a 51% shipment share. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 was the 2nd most shipped foldable phone with a share of over 20%.
Samsung to put more eggs in the Fold basket this year and lower prices
Although the foldable phone market is dominated by the flip form factor at the moment, things could change throughout the rest of 2022.
Market watchers believe Samsung expects the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to enjoy faster growth than the Galaxy Z Flip 4 later this year.
Samsung's confidence in this matter could strongly indicate that the company plans to lower Galaxy Z Fold 4 launch prices significantly compared to previous models. And democratize the book-like foldable phone form factor in the process.
Samsung has yet to send invitations for the upcoming event, but it should announce the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 at Unpacked around August-September. More Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 specifications leaked recently, and it seems like Samsung is planning incremental upgrades. Stay tuned for more.
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