What you need to know
- Research reports claim that 2026 could be a big year for book-style foldables, as the market could shift toward more consumers purchasing them.
- Counterpoint claims that these larger foldables could become “central” for OEMs and their long-term growth with foldables.
- The report also highlighted major gains in the book-style foldable space from the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Data analysts are delivering their 2026 outlook for the foldable smartphone market, and it looks like there could be an upward trend in large foldables.
The latest reports come from Counterpoint Research, which states the foldable phone market could take a massive turn in 2026, as it veers toward book-style devices. The post states that book-style foldables (Galaxy Z Fold 7, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, etc.) “are emerging as the primary growth engine of the foldable smartphone market.” Its research adds that 2025 has already started showing signs of this major market shift, highlighting Samsung’s performance with the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
It’s no surprise that clamshell foldables, such as the Galaxy Z Flip series or the Motorola Razr, have been popular. However, Counterpoint suggests that the trend is now shifting toward book-style devices, which could push them to become “central to long-term growth strategies” for many OEMs in 2026 and beyond.
Currently, it’s reported that book-style foldables could grow to roughly 65% of shipped foldable phones in 2026. This is a respectable growth over its 52% make-up last year.
While Counterpoint expects book-styles to become even more popular this year, it hasn’t forgotten what could come from Apple. The post highlights that Apple is “expected” to debut a book-style foldable in the second half of 2026 with a 1:1.414 wide-fold display ratio.
Our eyes are elsewhere now
Last year was huge for Samsung and its foldable game, namely the Galaxy Z Fold 7, after its performance in South Korea. In pre-orders, the Fold 7 accounted for 60& of the pie, leaving the rest to the Flip 7. This was the first time the larger model had beaten out the clamshell, which was previously the top device consumers reached for. After the many reworks Samsung did for the Fold 7, it looks like consumers had a change of heart.
The device was also quite popular in the U.S., and all of that attention pushed Samsung to scramble for more. In September, Samsung reportedly rushed to change its original production plans for the Fold 7, jumping by 60,000 units to 260,000. The company was struggling to meet demand, as users all over packed stores and flooded online sources for their new device.
Android Central’s Take
This “shift” that Counterpoint Research anticipates for the foldable market in 2026 kind of makes sense to me. I’ve mentioned this before, but the Fold 7 was an enticing device. It almost made me go for it instead of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung reported that its hinge upgrades could withstand ~500,000 folds, meaning the “average” user could use it for nearly 10 years. The device was also made thinner and lighter with more under the hood. Samsung’s not the only company really looking to upgrade its book-style devices with better multitasking, gaming capabilities, and better screens, too. This year could be quite exciting for sure.
