Huawei Dethrones Samsung as Foldable Phone Market Booms in Q1 2024

The once-niche world of foldable phones is having a moment! Shipments skyrocketed by a cool 49% in the first quarter of 2024, the highest growth spurt in over a year and a half, according to Counterpoint Research. Buckle up, because things are getting interesting.

Huawei Folds in for the Lead

In a plot twist worthy of a spy novel, Huawei has elbowed out Samsung to become the world's leading foldable phone king. This shocker is largely thanks to China's love affair with 5G. Huawei's first 5G foldable, the Mate X5, became a runaway hit, with a whopping 84% of their foldables in Q1 being 5G-enabled.

Honor and Motorola Make Global Strides

While Huawei dominated China, Honor and Motorola impressed overseas. Honor's global market share skyrocketed from 3% to 12%, making them the third-largest player. The key? The Honor Magic V2, the slimmest infolding book-type model, which became a top seller in Western Europe. Meanwhile, Motorola's Razr 40 (aka Razr 2023) found favor in North America. The classic Razr design still holds a charm.

Book Designs Take Center Fold

For the first time since 2021, book-type foldables, which unfold like a small book, have surpassed the classic clamshell design. In Q1 2024, a significant 55% of global shipments were book-type. This can be attributed to the launch of several new book-type models from Chinese manufacturers like Huawei, Honor, OnePlus, and Vivo. While Samsung's clamshell designs, led by the Galaxy Z Flip series, have traditionally been popular due to their lower price point, the innovation from China seems to be winning over consumers.

Clamshells May Not Be Clamming Up

Don't count out the clamshell design just yet! Samsung is determined to reclaim its market leadership with the upcoming Z Flip 6. It promises improved performance and reliability. Huawei is also planning a more affordable clamshell model, and both Honor and Xiaomi are expected to enter the clamshell market for the first time. This influx of new products suggests the clamshell segment might see renewed growth later in 2024.

Whether you prefer book-type or clamshell designs, it's a great time to be a foldable phone enthusiast.

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