Omdia: foldable displays shipments will increase 44% this year with a focus on wide foldables

Foldable Display Market Poised for Explosive Growth: Omdia Predicts 44% Surge

The foldable smartphone market is experiencing a significant resurgence, with market research firm Omdia forecasting a remarkable 44% increase in foldable display shipments for the current year. This follows a notable 12% decline experienced last year, signaling a strong comeback for the innovative form factor.

It's important to note that this forecast specifically pertains to the inner displays of foldable devices, not the complete foldable phones themselves. A potential time lag can exist between the shipment of display components and the final product release.

Omdia anticipates that 29 million foldable displays will be shipped this year. While this figure might not perfectly correlate 1:1 with the number of foldable phones shipped, it strongly indicates that 2026 is set to be a landmark year for foldable technology.

Wide Foldables Dominating the Market Landscape

An exceptionally compelling statistic reveals that displays for wide-format foldables are projected to constitute 44% of total foldable display shipments this year. This means that this newer design will capture nearly half of the market share, competing with established formats such as the larger, book-style foldables and the more compact flip-style devices.

This trend is largely attributed to the immense popularity of devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series and the anticipated Apple iPhone Duo. This surge in demand is particularly beneficial for Samsung Display, which is a key panel supplier for these leading models. Omdia projects that Samsung Display will secure a dominant 66% market share in foldable displays, while competitors like BOE, China Star, Tianma, and Visionox are expected to see their market shares contract.

Global Demand Dynamics and Technological Advancements

Currently, demand for foldable devices is experiencing a lull in China. However, analysts predict a significant shift as more Chinese manufacturers enter the wide foldable arena, leading to intensified competition and market expansion. While Huawei initially pioneered this form factor, it appears other manufacturers are now recognizing its substantial potential.

Furthermore, the vast majority of foldable displays manufactured this year will be of the LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) variety. Despite their higher cost, LTPO panels offer superior fine-grained control over refresh rates, making them the preferred choice over LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon) technology. Given the premium pricing of foldable devices, manufacturers are opting for the best available display technology to enhance the user experience.

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