How Samsung’s 10 million foldable phones number has a message for Xiaomi and Oppo – Times of India

A few weeks before its Unpacked event, Samsung revealed that it sold around “10 million foldable smartphones” worldwide. In a recent blog post, Samsung Electronics President, T M Roh, suggests that this could be the breakthrough for foldables as more and more people are inclined toward foldable smartphones. But, people seem to like the smaller clamshell form factor over the typical folding smartphone.
Samsung witnessed a staggering 300 per cent growth this year compared to 2020. Even 2021 was good for Samsung’s Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 foldables. Last year, Samsung quadrupled its shipments compared to 2020. And it saw a 140 per cent increase in customers switching brands for a Galaxy foldable compared to its last-generation flagship – the Galaxy S21. Roh expects the “fast-paced growth” to continue.
The flip dominates the fold
Interestingly, out of the 10 million units shipped across the globe, 70 per cent are Galaxy Z Flip 3, meaning customers are choosing the clamshell form factor over the typical folding smartphone. Not just this year, but last year also, more people switched to the flipping Galaxy Z Flip 3. Samsung says there was a 150 per cent increase in customers switching to the Galaxy Z Flip 3 from other brands last year. So, what does this all mean? Well, people simply like the smaller clamshell form factor that folds out into a normal smartphone rather than a tablet that folds into a smartphone.
The only other brands making commercially available foldables are Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo. Well, Huawei has a clamshell foldable, but they are pretty much out of the Android ecosystem. Meanwhile, the other two – Xiaomi and Oppo – only have a full-size foldable smartphone in their portfolio. So, maybe it is time for them to try out the clamshell form factor and enter the mainstream market because it seems to be working out for Samsung.
Samsung tops the foldable smartphone segment
According to a report published by Display Supply Chain Consultants, Samsung shipped 87.8 per cent of total foldable smartphones sold in 2021. Meanwhile, other brands are way behind Samsung. Huawei had a 9.3 per cent market share, while Xiaomi came in third with a share of 2.4 per cent. And Oppo had a 0.2 market share in 2021. Customers are adopting foldable smartphones, especially flip ones, maybe because they are cheaper and Samsung is clearly leading the market.
Samsung will reveal its next batch of foldables – Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 – at its upcoming Unpacked event on August 10.