Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to rise more than 22% in 2026 to over 22 million units, according to Omdia, despite a 21.6% year-over-year decline to 5.1 million units in the first half. Omdia forecasts shipments will increase from 18.2 million units in 2025 to 36 million by 2028 and 45 million by 2030. Wider book-style devices from Samsung Electronics and Huawei, as well as Apple’s widely expected first foldable iPhone launch around September or October, could support the recovery. Foldables are likely to remain a premium niche representing less than 3% of global smartphone shipments by the end of the decade, constrained by high component and repair costs and concerns about camera performance.