Apple dominates premium smartphone market amid rise of foldables

The global smartphone industry is undergoing a significant shift toward premium and foldable devices in 2026. Apple continues to dominate the premium segment, holding a 65% market share and accounting for 49% of total industry profits. Despite this dominance, Chinese brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo are increasingly capturing market share, particularly within China.

Simultaneously, the market is transitioning away from conventional smartphones toward foldable technology. While shipments of standard phones are projected to decline, the foldable segment is expected to see rapid growth, with IDC projecting a nearly 30% annual increase. This trend is driven by new product entries, such as Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold and Huawei's HarmonyOS Next devices. Analysts suggest that Apple's anticipated entry into the foldable market later in 2026 could serve as a major catalyst for mainstream adoption of the technology.