Samsung May Retain Foldable Supremacy Amid iPhone Ultra Doubts

Remember when analytics firms predicted Samsung and Huawei would lose ground in foldable smartphone shipments? That's looking less likely, especially with recent rumors of iPhone Ultra production issues and potentially low initial sales. A new long-term market prediction from Omdia, notably absent of any direct reference to Apple, has amplified skepticism surrounding the iPhone Ultra's early success.

Samsung's Strong Start

While Apple might still become the top foldable vendor by 2028, Samsung appears poised to maintain its market leadership through 2026 and 2027. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has launched strongly, solidifying the “wide-format design” as the key driver in the foldable market, building on the success of Huawei’s Pura X Max.

Market Growth and Apple's Role

With “similar products” expected from other “leading vendors,” Omdia analysts anticipate a significantly larger market expansion this year compared to 2025. Last year’s 6 percent sales increase from 2024 was the lowest growth rate in “recent years,” making the projected 22 percent jump in 2026 particularly encouraging. While Apple is among those vendors planning a “wide-format” foldable launch, the iPhone Ultra may not have the same impact as the Z Fold 8.

Omdia's Prediction and Future Outlook

The fact that Omdia avoids predicting the foldable vendor hierarchy for the coming years suggests that Apple's market dominance is no longer a certainty. The landscape could shift in 2027 or 2028, but Samsung's current momentum is undeniable.