Huawei, according to the latest report from IDC, continues its dominance in China’s foldable phone market with a staggering 68.9% share for the first three quarters of 2024 (January-September). Honor follows closely behind with an 11.2% share, placing it in second place. The Chinese foldable smartphone market has seen substantial growth; in Q3 2024 alone, shipments reached 2.63 million units, marking a significant 17.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to IDC’s analysis, this surge is not just about volume but also quality improvements that have made foldable phones more appealing to mainstream users. Huawei’s P70 Ultra and Honor’s Magic 6 models exemplify these advancements with sleek designs and advanced features such as WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
Top Players in the Chinese Foldable Phone Market
The top five brands in China’s foldable phone market, based on IDC’s report, are:
- Huawei: 68.9%
- Honor: 11.2%
- vivo: 5.0%
- OPPO: 4.9%
- Samsung: 4.3%
The presence of Samsung in the top five is noteworthy, given its relatively lower market share overall in China’s smartphone sector. This suggests a growing interest among Chinese consumers in high-end devices like the Galaxy Z Fold7.
Technical Advancements and Market Trends
The growth in the foldable phone market can be attributed to several key factors:
- Innovative Design: Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro, for instance, features a sleek design with advanced folding mechanisms that enhance user experience.
- Improved Performance and Features: Devices like the P70 Ultra come equipped with powerful chipsets such as the Kirin 9000s, offering superior performance and connectivity options including WiFi 7 for faster data transfer speeds.
- User Demand: With an increasing number of users opting for more versatile devices that offer both smartphone functionality and tablet-like screens, foldables have become a preferred choice in the Chinese market.
The Future Outlook
IDC predicts that the trend towards mainstream adoption of foldable phones will continue, with improvements expected in terms of durability, battery life, and affordability. Huawei’s leadership position is likely to be strengthened by its focus on technological innovation and user-centric design.
