Samsung no longer dominates US foldable market; iPhone Fold coming right on time

Samsung's foldable reign is coming to a close as US market shift proves Apple was right to wait.

Samsung's foldable reign is coming to a close as US market shift proves Apple was right to wait. New data shows North American foldable shipments surged 28% as Motorola’s 44% market share and Google’s triple-digit growth put Samsung on high alert.

Martin Filipov, Published 03/26/2026

The North American foldable smartphone market is undergoing a shift, according to the latest data from Counterpoint Research. While the segment grew 28% YoY in 2025, the real story lies in Samsung’s decline and the aggressive rise of the competition in the face of Motorola.

For years, Samsung enjoyed a near-monopoly on the foldable form factor. However, 2025 marked a significant turning point, says Counterpoint. Samsung’s market share in North America is down to 51% from 65% in 2024. While the Korean tech giant remains the leader in book-style foldables, its dominance in the popular clamshell segment has been effectively dismantled.

The biggest winner has been Motorola. Driven by the Razr Fold 2025 series, Motorola captured a whopping 44% market share, fueled by aggressive pricing and strong carrier partnerships. Google also saw a boost, with shipments growing 52% YoY (thanks to the October release of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold), but remains at 5% market.

US foldable market growth sets the stage for Apple’s carefully calculated iPhone Fold launch in late 2026

However, the biggest winner might just be Apple’s upcoming iPhone Fold. Apple’s decision to delay the first foldable iPhone always seemed like a calculated move, and we are now finding out why.

While Samsung and Huawei launched their first foldables in 2019, the decision to wait until late 2026 means Apple has successfully avoided the early-adopter troubles, ready to enter a market where Motorola and Samsung have already normalized the form factor.

With Samsung’s "reign" effectively over, the stage is set for the iPhone Fold to act as the "finishing blow" in a now-mature and highly competitive landscape. Perhaps it was Apple’s plan all along.

Speaking of the iPhone Fold, this one is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 series this fall - although it might hit the shelves later. However, Samsung is preparing to launch a direct competitor to the iPhone Fold, with a wider main display.