Samsung Takes 69% of Foldable Market in Q3 as Galaxy Z Fold8 Leads
Samsung shipped 69% of the world's foldable phones in Q3 2026, its best share since 2023, with the wide Galaxy Z Fold8 making up nearly 55% of its foldables, SAG says.
Samsung shipped 69% of all foldable phones sold worldwide between July and September 2026, according to third-quarter figures from Smart Analytics Global (SAG) published on 11 November 2026. It is the highest Samsung foldable market share since 2023, and the new Galaxy Z Fold8 did much of the lifting while the wider foldable market shrank by 2%.
Samsung Foldable Market Share Hits 69%
SAG says global foldable shipments fell 2% year on year in the third quarter, to a little over 7.5 million units, as reported by Android Headlines. Samsung went the other way. Its own foldable shipments grew 13%, and its share rose by nine percentage points from the same quarter of 2025.
Take Samsung out of the picture and the numbers look grim. Every other brand combined shipped 24% fewer foldables than a year earlier. SAG blames high prices and a shortage of convincing reasons to own one, which has kept foldables a niche purchase for most buyers.
How the Rivals Did
- Huawei stayed second but slipped from 18% to 14%. SAG points to weak demand in China and to its own Pura X View, a wide model that took sales from Huawei's other foldables.
- Lenovo-Motorola climbed two points to 8%, helped by a wider rollout of the Razr 70 series.
- Apple had no foldable on sale for most of the quarter, so it does not appear in the Q3 ranking.
| Q3 2026 foldable market | Figure (SAG) |
|---|---|
| Global shipments | Just over 7.5 million, down 2% year on year |
| Samsung share | 69% (up 9 points), shipments up 13% |
| Huawei share | 14% (from 18%) |
| Lenovo-Motorola share | 8% (up 2 points) |
| All brands except Samsung | Shipments down 24% |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 share of Samsung foldables | Nearly 55% |
Why the Galaxy Z Fold8 Matters
The Fold8 made up close to 55% of Samsung's foldable shipments in the quarter, SAG says. It is Samsung's first wide-format Fold, and the shape seems to be what buyers wanted. Wide foldables as a group made up about 45% of all foldable shipments, making them the leading foldable style in the quarter.
Samsung unveiled the Fold8 at Galaxy Unpacked on 22 July 2026 and put it on general sale on 7 August 2026. According to the Samsung Newsroom, it has a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch main display with a 4:3 ratio, and it is the lightest Galaxy Z Fold design so far.
Apple's iPhone Duo Is the Next Test
The lead may not last. SAG expects foldable shipments to return to double-digit growth in the fourth quarter, and it expects Apple to overtake Samsung as the largest foldable vendor once the iPhone Duo ships in volume. It also predicts wide models will pass 65% of the market in Q4. Motorola is preparing its own wide foldable too, the Razr Flex, due in 2027.
Our Opinion
These numbers back Samsung's decision to stop stretching the Fold taller and make it wider instead. A phone that feels normal when shut and opens into a squarer tablet is easier to live with, and buyers clearly agree. The worrying part is everyone else: a 24% drop outside Samsung shows that price is still the main barrier, and few brands are tackling it. We would treat the Q3 result as a strong quarter, not a settled race. The iPhone Duo is about to land in the same wide shape, with Apple's loyal upgrade base behind it. If you want a wide foldable right now, the Fold8 is the safe pick. If you are already in Apple's world, waiting a few weeks for iPhone Duo reviews makes sense.
Do you think wide foldables are the right direction, or do you still prefer a regular slab phone? Tell us in the comment section below, and stay tuned to Phone Opinions for more foldable news.
Source: Android Headlines. This story was originally reported by Android Headlines, based on Smart Analytics Global data.
FAQ
What is Samsung's foldable market share in Q3 2026?
Samsung held 69% of global foldable shipments from July to September 2026, according to Smart Analytics Global. That is its highest share since 2023.
Which foldable phone sold best for Samsung in Q3 2026?
The Galaxy Z Fold8 accounted for nearly 55% of Samsung's foldable shipments in the quarter, according to SAG.
Will Apple overtake Samsung in foldables?
SAG expects Apple to become the largest foldable vendor in the fourth quarter of 2026, once the iPhone Duo ships in volume.
