In the third quarter of 2022, foldable phone shipments peaked with more than 500% growth and shipments exceeding 6 million, all OEMs combined. Since then, foldable phone shipments have fallen year-on-year for two consecutive quarters, with only 2.1 million shipped in the first quarter of 2023.
First Samsung, second OPPO
As reported by @DSCCRoss, Samsung maintained its lead among all foldable phone manufacturers. However, first-quarter shipment share fell to 45%, the second-lowest ever. Oppo, on the other hand, managed to become the second largest foldable phone brand in terms of shipment with a share of 21%.
Although Samsung’s shipments decreased, the company managed to offer one of the two most popular phones on the market over the past year, and this success continued until the first quarter of 2023.
Galaxy Z Flip 4 was the most popular foldable phone in the first quarter of 2023 with a market share of 27%. Interestingly, the second most popular foldable phone came from Huawei with the Pocket S reaching 15% market share. It was followed by Galaxy Z Fold 4 with 13%, Oppo Find N2 Flip with 11% and Huawei Mate X3 with 6%.
Shares are likely to change further in the coming quarters as more OEMs, including Google, plan to launch new foldable phones. Pixel Fold will be available in June. Samsung will also launch the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 next-generation foldable phones this year, and there are rumors that the company may launch these phones sooner than expected.