Foldable smartphones remain a niche segment, accounting for just 1.5% of smartphone sales in Europe in Q1 2025. Sales only grew by 4% YoY in Q1 2025, amid ongoing concerns around price, durability and use cases.Samsung still led the market, despite losing significant share since Q1 2024 amid increasing competition from multiple vendors.Motorola overtook HONOR to become Europe’s second-largest foldable smartphone vendor. Google, Xiaomi and TECNO also grew well over the year following the launches of some impressive devices.Samsung is expected to launch its latest foldable smartphones in July and has teased an Ultra variant to compete with HONOR for the title of the slimmest book-type foldable available in Europe.Increased competition in the foldables segment is key to driving innovation, which will, in turn, hopefully result in a drop in prices and faster future growth.London, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo – June 9, 2025Europe foldable smartphone sales grew 4% YoY in Q1 2025 to account for just 1.5% of the total smartphone sales in the region, further illustrating foldables as a niche segment, according to Counterpoint Research Global Handset Model Sales Tracker.Commenting on the flatlining growth, Counterpoint Research Associate Director Jan Stryjak said, “For an emerging segment supposedly in its early growth stage, 4% YoY growth is a worrying sign. Despite all the attention new foldable devices receive, they are still too expensive for mass-market appeal. Further, most consumers are still not sure what a foldable phone is for, and many still have concerns about the durability and longevity of the devices.”Nevertheless, competition has increased markedly over the last year. While Samsung remained the clear leader in Q1 2025, other vendors have grown considerably. Motorola overtook HONOR to become Europe’s second-largest foldable smartphone vendor in Q1 2025, largely due to its more affordable Razr 50 flip phones. Google, Xiaomi and TECNO also saw robust growth over the year following the launches of some impressive devices, some also at more attractive price points.Stryjak added, “However, Europe’s foldable market is changing. Samsung dominated for a long time with devices that did not seem to change much year on year, but other vendors have released some fantastic models, for example, the HONOR Magic V3, the Motorola Razr 50, the Google Pixel 9 Fold and even the TECNO Phantom V Fold 2. These devices are bringing the fight to Samsung in Europe. Increased competition is always a good thing, driving innovation and pushing down prices. And Samsung has taken note, teasing the launch of an Ultra variant of its upcoming Galaxy Fold7 series. This will hopefully give the segment the shot in the arm it needs.”BackgroundCounterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the TMT (technology, media, and telecom) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects, and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the high-tech industry.Follow Counterpoint Researchpress@counterpointresearch.com
  • FlamekebabEnglish
    16•5 days ago

    Phones haven’t got more interesting in a decade or more. As a result my willingness to pay more than we used to is extremely low.

  • @gusgalarnyk@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4•5 days ago

    I’m in Europe. I would like to buy a folding smartphone as I want more screen space. They’re still too expensive and have too short of lifespans as far as I can tell.

    When they’re… Oh idk… $1300 and last 5+ years I’ll pick one up.

    If I could speak directly to the phone makers I’d also say I don’t want a front facing camera if there is a nicer camera on the back and a screen of almost any size. A front facing camera just feels antiquated for that design.

  • @ikidd@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0•3 days ago

    They aren’t worth buying at $1500, but definitely are at $500. I have a used Razr+ and fucking love it, but I’d never pay original price for it. If they got down to that price new, I think foldables would take off. They priced themselves out of the market from the start and never got traction, which is too bad.

    If you want a small phone for convenience, but a large screen for usability, they fit the bill. And I like having the main screen protected if I drop it. If the outside screen got broken, I really couldn’t care less, it didn’t need to be there to start with.