DSSC says that 3.1 million foldable smartphone shipped in Q4 2022, a drop of 48% compared to the previous quarter (and 26% compared to Q4 2021). This is the first time that the foldable smartphone market contracted.
DSSC says that the market was "overwhelmed by the launch of the iPhone 14 Series". Worsening global economic conditions also reduced demand. In the full year 2022, 12.9 million foldable phone shipped (a 62% increase over 2021), led by Samsung with a 83% market share.
Looking forward, a 3% decline in shipments (year-over-year) is expected in Q1 2023 followed by a return to growth in the second quarter of 2023, helped by new models from Google, Vivo and others. Foldable smartphone shipments are expected to exceed 17 million units in 2023.
