This year, despite the launch of the world’s first foldable phone, the Huawei Mate XT, as well as new foldable devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Special Edition in South Korea and the Samsung W25 in China, shipments of foldable devices decreased by 1 percent. % on an annual basis in the third quarter of 2024. This was the first decline in shipments of foldable devices in the third quarter in the last six years.

A new report from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) has now emerged online, suggesting that the smartphone display market has stagnated and seen its first decline in the third quarter of 2024. He predicts that a similar trend may continue in 2025, with the market expecting a decline. DSCC notes that demand for foldable displays has stalled at 22 million panels and that “smartphone display purchases are down 38% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2024 and are expected to decline year-over-year in the next four to five quarters.”

Although various reasons are listed in the report, the main problem seems to be the low performance of advanced devices of Samsung, the undisputed king of this segment. Huawei also fell, with its shares falling from 30% in the second quarter of 2024 to 13% in 2024. One of the main reasons for this is believed to be the lack of a third player in the market to challenge Samsung and Huawei, indicating that Apple’s foldable device could disrupt the category.

There have been rumors for a long time that Apple was working on a foldable iPhone, the patent of which appeared as early as May 2024. A new report has also emerged that Apple has commissioned Samsung to supply screens for its foldable devices. Although there are rumors that Apple will not release a foldable iPhone until it solves the screen bending issue, the company is reportedly continuing with its plan to release a foldable clamshell iPhone in 2026.

The DSCC report also supports the claim that Apple can enter the foldable smartphone market in the second half of 2026. He adds that their dominance in flagship smartphones could lead to significant growth in the advanced smartphone market. Form factor, functionality, use cases, durability, etc. “Any developments in these matters could stimulate new demand in this market.”