Apple is tipped to make a dramatic move in the foldable display market over the next few years, riding on momentum from its upcoming iPhone Duo launch. Industry analysts expect Apple’s share of foldable smartphone panel shipments to jump from 27% in 2026 to a projected 42% by 2030, signaling strong growth as the foldable segment expands overall. While Samsung will continue shipping more panels in volume in the near term, Apple’s growth rate is expected to outpace its longtime rival.”
Forecasts: Share Shift Among Foldable Panel Suppliers
According to a recent research report, the foldable panel market is forecasted to grow 74% between 2026 and 2030, driven by Apple’s rising influence. Its panel shipments are projected to increase by 167% during that span—from its base in the second half of 2026—boosting its overall market share by roughly 15 percentage points. In contrast, Samsung’s shipments will see a 27% increase over the same timeframe, though its market share is expected to dip from the top position to approximately 24% due to Apple’s ascent. Meanwhile, Huawei is forecast to experience only marginal shipment gains of around 3%, with its market portion shrinking to 15%.
Design Trends: In-Folds, Clamshells, and Multi-Fold Devices
The breakdown by panel type shows differing fortunes across design styles between 2026 and 2030. In-fold displays are predicted to grow 79%, increasing their share from 81% to 84%. Clamshell-style panels are also expected to grow in volume—by about 27%—though their market share is set to shrink due to slower overall growth compared to in-folds. The most dramatic expansion is expected in multi-fold (devices with more than one hinge), where shipments could increase nearly 179%, nudging market share up to about 4.5% by 2030.
Next year, Apple is expected to command 27% of the foldable panel supply market, even as its first foldable model hasn’t launched yet. Samsung is projected to hold 33%, with Huawei lingering behind at 25%, in 2026. Big changes are on the horizon as Apple’s iPhone Duo moves from anticipation to production and market entry.
What this means: Apple’s projected dominance reflects not just stronger demand for foldable devices, but confidence in its manufacturing, supply chain, and consumer positioning. If these forecasts prove accurate, foldable phones could shift from niche to mainstream in the next four years.
