Foldable display shipments projected to grow 44% in 2026

Market research firm Omdia forecasts a significant rebound in the foldable smartphone display market, predicting that shipments of inner displays will increase by 44% in 2026 compared to the previous year. This growth is expected to reach approximately 29 million units, following a 12% decline in 2025.

The surge is primarily attributed to a shift toward "wide foldable" formats. Unlike traditional square-shaped book-style or compact flip-style devices, these wider aspect ratio screens are designed to enhance multitasking, productivity, and content consumption, offering a user experience closer to that of a tablet.

Key industry players driving this trend include Samsung with the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Apple with the iPhone Duo. Samsung Display is projected to strengthen its market leadership, potentially capturing a 66% market share by exclusively supplying AMOLED displays for these major models. While demand in China is currently noted as weak, Chinese manufacturers are expected to adopt wider-format designs by 2027.