The global foldable smartphone market could see a major shift in 2026 as book-style foldables are projected to dominate for the first time. According to a recent Counterpoint Research report, larger foldable phones are expected to account for the majority of foldable shipments this year, a change that comes ahead of Apple’s anticipated entry into the foldable segment.
Book-style foldables, also referred to as passport-style devices, feature larger displays that open like a book. In contrast, clamshell foldables are often called flip phones and fold vertically into a more compact form.
Counterpoint’s 2026 forecast suggests that book-style foldables will account for 65% of total global foldable smartphone shipments. This marks a notable increase from 2025, when book-style devices represented 52% of shipments.
The research firm points to advantages on both the supply and demand sides. Larger foldables typically command higher average selling prices (ASPs), making them more attractive to manufacturers. At the same time, they offer a more premium feel and enable productivity-focused use cases that standard smartphones cannot match, making them appealing to consumers seeking advanced multitasking and larger screens.
“The next phase of foldable market expansion will be driven less by novelty and more by clarity of use case and value,” said Associate Director Liz Lee. “As book-type foldables gain traction, differentiation will increasingly depend on software experience and ecosystem readiness. In this context, Apple’s expected entry reinforces the industry-wide convergence toward book-type foldables across OEM strategies and ecosystems.”
Counterpoint also links this expected transition to ongoing smartphone memory supply constraints. As memory shortages increasingly impact low and mid-range devices, smartphone brands are shifting their focus toward higher-margin premium models.
“As memory supply tightness becomes increasingly concentrated in components used for low- to mid-range smartphones, concerns around the broader mass-market outlook are growing,” said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint, in the press release. “Against this backdrop, OEMs are placing greater emphasis on higher-value devices, prioritising profitability over volume. Book-type foldables are well-positioned in this shift, as their premium specifications and higher memory configurations support ASP (average selling price) expansion while aligning with value-led growth strategies.”
Samsung led global foldable smartphone shipments last year, reclaiming the top position after Huawei briefly overtook it in 2024. Before that, Samsung had maintained leadership for four consecutive years.
In the early days of foldable phones, clamshell devices were more dominant. Book-style foldables accounted for 35% of the market in 2020 and 39% in 2021. Their share rose to 47% in 2022 and hovered around half of total shipments in subsequent years. Specifically, book-style models represented 47% of the market in 2023, 51% in 2024, and 52% in 2025, reflecting steady growth.
Samsung’s recent sales performance may already hint at the upcoming shift. Counterpoint Research notes that in the second half of 2025, Samsung sold more Galaxy Z Fold 7 units than Galaxy Z Flip 7 units. This trend could serve as an early indicator of changing consumer preferences in the broader foldable market.
Apple’s rumoured foldable iPhone is widely expected to adopt a book-style design. The report suggests that such a device could “accelerate broader market adoption” of large-format foldables. Apple’s entry into the segment is seen as a potentially transformative moment for the industry.
For now, these insights remain projections. The actual market outcome will depend on real-world sales performance in 2026. However, if current trends hold and Apple joins the fray with a book-style foldable iPhone, the foldable smartphone landscape could look very different in the coming year.
Answer. Book-style foldables are projected to capture 65% of global foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, overtaking clamshell designs.
Answer. They offer larger displays, a premium feel, and productivity-focused use cases. Manufacturers also favour them due to higher average selling prices and better alignment with premium market strategies amid memory supply constraints.
Answer. Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone, expected to feature a book-style design, could accelerate broader adoption and reshape the foldable smartphone landscape in 2026.
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