Foldable smartphone panel shipments declined 13% YoY in H1 2026, as clamshell shipments fell 62% while in-fold panel shipments grew 35%.
Q2 shipments rose 85% from Q1 but remained 16% below Q2 2025. SDC’s shipments increased 6% YoY, lifting its supplier share by 13.5 percentage points to 66%.
Full-year shipments are forecast to grow 23% in 2026, with H2 up 53% from H1 and 71% YoY. From 2026 to 2030, the market is forecast to expand 74%, equivalent to a CAGR of about 15%.
Seoul, Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Taipei, Tokyo – Sept 10, 2026
Global foldable smartphone panel shipments declined 13% YoY in H1 2026, according to Counterpoint Research’s Quarterly Foldable Display Shipment and Technology Report. The contraction was concentrated in clamshell panels, while in-fold panel shipments continued to grow.
“The quarter-to-quarter pattern was more indicative than the headline H1 decline,” said Senior Analyst Enze Qi. “Q2 2026 shipments increased 85% sequentially as Samsung sharply increased panel procurement for its new foldable smartphone launches. However, shipments were still 16% below Q2 2025, showing that the recovery was not yet broad-based.”
SDC’s Q2 shipments increased 6% YoY, while its share rose 13.5 percentage points to 66%. BOE's shipments declined 41% and its share fell about 9 percentage points to 22%. Across H1, SDC shipments grew 10% YoY and BOE shipments fell 31%. The launch schedules of leading smartphone brands remained a major swing factor for suppliers.
Foldable Smartphone Panel Shipment Share
Source: Counterpoint Research Foldable Panel Shipment Tracker & Forecast H1 decline concentrated in clamshell panels
The H1 decline came from clamshell panels rather than in-fold demand. In-fold shipments increased 35% YoY, and their share rose about 28 percentage points from 50% to 78%. Clamshell shipments fell 62%, reducing its share by about 27 percentage points to 21%. By Q2, in-fold panels accounted for nearly 80% of shipments, confirming the market's continued shift toward book-type products.
2026 rebound depends on H2 and Apple
Full-year 2026 foldable smartphone panel shipments are forecast to grow 23% from 2025. H2 shipments are expected to increase 53% from H1 and 71% from H2 2025, accounting for 61% of the full-year total.
Apple is the largest incremental change in the 2026 forecast and is expected to account for 27% of full-year shipments, all in H2. Samsung’s shipments are forecast to rise 8% YoY, keeping the brand in first place with 33% share, while Huawei shipments are expected to decline 6% and hold 25% share. Apple, Samsung and Huawei together would account for 86% of shipments.
In-fold panel shipments are forecast to increase 107% YoY in 2026, lifting their share by about 33 percentage points to 81%. Clamshell shipments are expected to fall 59%, with their share declining by about 33 percentage points to 16%. Multi-fold shipments are forecast to grow 14%, although their share remains near 3%. The 2026 rebound is therefore concentrated in book-type in-fold products.
Foldable panel shipments are forecast to grow 74% by 2030
From 2026 to 2030, foldable smartphone panel shipments are forecast to grow 74%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 15%. Growth will become increasingly concentrated in in-fold and multi-fold products.
In-fold panel shipments are forecast to grow 79% from 2026 to 2030, raising their share from 81% to 84%. Multi-fold shipments are expected to increase 179%, lifting their share from 2.8% to 4.5%. Clamshell shipments are forecast to grow 27%, but their share would decline by about 4 percentage points to 12%.
Apple shipments are forecast to increase 167% from their H2-only 2026 base to 2030, lifting the brand's share by about 15 percentage points to 42%. Samsung shipments are expected to grow 27%, although its share would fall to 24%, while Huawei shipments would rise 3% and its share would decline to 15%. The combined share of the three brands is forecast to ease by about 5 percentage points to 81%.
Conclusion
H1 2026 confirms the shift away from clamshell-led volume toward in-fold panels. Overall shipments declined 13% YoY as in-fold shipments grew 35% and clamshell shipments fell 62%. Q2 improved 85% from Q1 but remained 16% below the prior-year level, indicating that the recovery was still uneven at midyear.
The full-year forecast depends on H2 execution, with shipments expected to rise 71% YoY during the period. Apple and Samsung launches are expected to support the ramp-up and return the market to 23% growth in 2026. Through 2030, shipments are forecast to expand a further 74%, led by continued in-fold growth and a faster increase in multi-fold products.
About Counterpoint Research
Counterpoint Research is a global market research firm specializing in products across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of clients – from smartphone OEMs to chipmakers and channel players to Big Tech – through our offices located in the world's major innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers. Our analyst team, led by seasoned experts, engages with stakeholders across the enterprise – from the C-suite to professionals in strategy, analyst relations (AR), market intelligence (MI), business intelligence (BI), product and marketing – to deliver services spanning market data, industry thought leadership and consulting. Our core areas of coverage include AI, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks and Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables. Visit our Insights page to explore our publicly available market data, insights and thought leadership, and to understand our focus, meet our analysts and start a conversation.
