Foldable smartphone panel shipments are expected to grow 46% YoY in 2026, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest Foldable-Rollable Display Shipment Tracker. Apple is the key driver as it starts to procure panels for its first foldable iPhone. We also believe a foldable iPhone will reinvigorate the broader market, helping to massively grow panel shipments in 2026.
In terms of form factors, panel shipments will move in sync with smartphone trends, with book-type panels expected to solidify their dominant position in 2026. This is significant for the foldable panel sector on several levels. It means we will see a material bump in ASPs next year; it is also a huge boon for Samsung Display, which will see its market share rise past the 50% mark. However, multi-fold panels like those on the new Galaxy Z TriFold, will account for low single-digit shares.
The Counterpoint report tracks and forecasts panel shipments for foldable and rollable/slidable panels in the smartphone, notebook, tablet and TV markets. It includes quarterly panel procurement data segmented by brand, model and panel supplier. It also covers panel price, technology and specifications, as well as other device specifications (chipset, camera, fingerprint recognition, etc.).
Counterpoint also offers the option to bundle quarterly sell-in data for foldable smartphones. Counterpoint expects foldable smartphone shipments to grow 14% YoY in 2025 and 38% in 2026, with the book-type form factor dominating. Associate Director Liz Lee said, “We are seeing book-type foldables really catching on. For the first time, Samsung’s Galaxy Z7 series saw the Fold model outselling the Flip model during the early sales window in H2 2025.”
This shift is also happening in China, with book-type phones becoming the main foldable form factor despite higher price points. “Consumers want tablet-like productivity and all the other benefits big screens bring, and this is pushing buyers towards larger inner displays and the improved usability of book-type designs,” added Lee.
