In a dramatic turnaround for the foldable smartphone market, Huawei has surged ahead of long-time leader Samsung to claim the top spot in global shipments for the first half of 2025, capturing a commanding 48% market share compared to Samsung’s 20%. This milestone, highlighted in Canalys’ latest analysis released on September 26, 2025, marks Huawei’s dominance in a segment that now represents 1-1.5% of overall smartphone sales, with total foldable shipments reaching 18.5 million units in H1 2025—a 35% year-over-year increase. Despite US sanctions limiting Huawei’s global reach, its focus on premium book-style foldables and rapid 5G integration has propelled it past Samsung, which slipped from 78% in 2022 to a distant second.
For consumers eyeing innovative designs, investors tracking the $20 billion foldable market (projected to hit $100 billion by 2030), and analysts watching tech rivalries, Huawei’s ascent signals a maturing category where quality trumps hype. With Samsung’s Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 launches in Q3 2025 aiming for a comeback, the battle intensifies. Let’s explore the data, drivers, and what this means for the future of foldables.
Market Share Breakdown: Huawei’s China-Led Dominance
Huawei’s leap wasn’t overnight—its foldable shipments exploded 257% in Q1 2024 alone, securing 35% globally and first place for the first time, per Counterpoint Research. By Q2 2025, Huawei held 45% (Counterpoint), solidifying H1 at 48% (Canalys), while Samsung’s share eroded to 20% amid slower clamshell growth. China, accounting for 70% of global foldable sales, fueled this: Huawei grabbed 42.5% there in Q4 2024, per Gizchina.
H1 2025 rankings (Canalys data):
| Brand | Market Share (%) | H1 Shipments (Millions) | YoY Growth (%) | Key Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei | 48 | ~8.9 | +150 | Mate XT Ultimate (tri-fold), Pocket 3 (clamshell) |
| Samsung | 20 | ~3.7 | +5 | Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6 (pre-Z7 series) |
| Motorola | 12 | ~2.2 | +1,473 | Razr 50 Ultra (clamshell surge) |
| Honor | 8 | ~1.5 | +460 | Magic V3 (book-style) |
| Others | 12 | ~2.2 | Varied | Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi |
Book-style (vertically folding) devices like Huawei’s Mate series now dominate at 55% of shipments, flipping clamshells (Samsung’s forte) for the first time since 2021. Samsung’s upcoming tri-fold (mass production in September 2025) could counter, but Huawei’s ultra-premium Mate XT ($4,000+) sets a high bar.
Drivers of Huawei’s Takeover: 5G Leap and China Focus
Huawei’s resurgence defies US sanctions since 2019, which barred Google services and 5G chips abroad. Domestically, it thrived:
- 5G Transition: From LTE-only in 2023 to 84% 5G foldables in Q1 2024, driving 257% YoY growth. Models like Pocket 3 (March 2025 launch) emphasize durability and cameras.
- China’s Appetite: 94% YoY foldable growth there in Q1 2024, with Huawei at 42.5% share; consumers favor book-styles for productivity.
- Innovation Edge: Tri-fold tech and HarmonyOS ecosystem outpace Samsung’s iterative Z series, per Nikkei Asia.
Samsung, once at 58% in 2023, stagnated with modest 5% growth, per Yahoo Finance. Reddit users lament Samsung’s “stale” designs since Z Fold3, crediting Huawei’s access issues in the West as a hidden boon for its domestic focus.
Implications: A Wake-Up Call for Samsung and Global Foldables
Huawei’s lead pressures Samsung to innovate beyond clamshells, with its Q4 2025 tri-fold as a litmus test. For consumers, more premium options emerge, but Huawei’s limited global availability (no US sales) keeps Samsung dominant outside China.
Broader effects:
- Market Growth: Foldables could hit 5% of smartphones by 2028, per Canalys, boosting ASPs (average selling prices) by 20-30%.
- Geopolitical Angle: Huawei’s success despite sanctions highlights China’s self-reliance, per TweakTown.
- Investor Buzz: Huawei’s foldables lifted its H1 2025 smartphone shipments 70% in China, though it’s fourth overall behind Vivo, Honor, and Apple.
Challenges: High prices ($1,000+) limit mass adoption, and durability concerns persist.
Conclusion: Huawei’s Foldable Crown – A China-Centric Triumph
Huawei’s overtake of Samsung as the top foldable phone brand in 2025 cements its resilience, commanding 48% share through 5G prowess and book-style innovation. As Samsung eyes a tri-fold rebound, the segment’s evolution favors bold designs over incumbency. For now, Huawei rules the fold—proving sanctions can’t stifle ingenuity. tweaktown
