Android

Foldable smartphones: the competition will press Samsung in 2023

February 4, 2023

More and more and more and more complete. This is the scenario at the end of 2022 for the US market foldable smartphones, where a growing number of devices are gradually establishing Samsung’s dominance in this market segment. Only a few hours ago we witnessed the launch of Oppo’s new solutions, and just yesterday we told you about our preview experience with the Vivo X Fold+, without forgetting that only a few months ago Xiaomi brought its new proposal on the market and that the Google itself is working on a leaflet within the Pixel family, which also recently appeared in the first renderings.

A 2023 FOCUSED ON LEAFLETS, BUT 2022 WILL NOT DISAPPOINT

The market therefore seems to offer many alternatives to the products of Samsung’s Fold and Flip series, even if many of these are still absent in the main western countries. However, the interest in the sector is very high and as evidence of this we also find the latest report drawn up by Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) which seems to confirm that 2023 will be a particularly important year for the leaflet segment.

But we don’t have to wait for 2023 to see very interesting numbers, given that, according to reports, the third quarter of 2022 has recorded record shipments for leaflets – we talk about over 6 million units – thanks to the launch of Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 (here the review of the Fold and here the one of the Flip). The trend should not continue during the last quarter, as the market attention seems to have been catalysed by the iPhone 14 series and this should lead to a 50% decrease compared to last quarter and 25% year-on-year, but the however, things should improve in 2023.

The newly announced Oppo Find N2 and N2 Flip

During the next year, in fact, DSCC expects that total leaflet shipments could reach 17 million with at least 10 different brands who will bring their proposals to the market, of which 6 of these could have market shares of at least the 3%. Samsung will continue to maintain the unchallenged leadership of the sector, but its shares should be expected during the year drop from 78% to 72%a signal that should show an attempt to attack the leaflet range by other well-known brands, such as Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi.

There is also talk of a new Chinese competitor still not better specified which should make its debut in the field of leaflets next year, while, as regards Googleit seems that the alleged Pixel Fold could worry Samsung only in the final part of 2023when the Mountain View proposal will collide directly with the next Z Fold 5. In short, folding smartphone enthusiasts can prepare for a truly exciting year.