Huawei's Tri-Folding Screen: A Bold Attempt or the Stage for HarmonyOS NEXT?

Huawei's Tri-Folding Screen: A Bold Attempt or the Stage for HarmonyOS NEXT?The Foldable Screen Market: Continued Growth and Increasing Market PenetrationIt's worth noting that foldable phones account for 13% of the market above 5,000 yuan, a significant increase from just 2% in 2020. This rapid growth indicates that foldable phones are becoming a key component of the high-end smartphone market

Huawei's Tri-Folding Screen: A Bold Attempt or the Stage for HarmonyOS NEXT?

For Huawei, the tri-folding screen represents both a bold attempt and a stage for HarmonyOS NEXT to shine. However, the 20,000 yuan price tag, limited supply, and fierce market competition present significant challenges for Huawei.

The Foldable Screen Market: Continued Growth and Increasing Market Penetration

After years of development, the technology for foldable phones has matured, with their weight and thickness approaching that of traditional smartphones. As a new segment in the smartphone market, foldable phone sales continue to climb, particularly in China, where growth is particularly strong. According to data from research firm CINNOResearch, foldable phone sales in the Chinese market reached 2.62 million units in the second quarter of 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 125% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 11%, achieving triple-digit year-on-year growth for four consecutive quarters. The market penetration rate has also climbed from 1.7% in the same period last year to 3.6%, indicating that foldable phones are gradually becoming more mainstream.

It's worth noting that foldable phones account for 13% of the market above 5,000 yuan, a significant increase from just 2% in 2020. This rapid growth indicates that foldable phones are becoming a key component of the high-end smartphone market.

Huawei: Leading the Domestic Market but Facing Challenges

Globally, the foldable screen market has been dominated by Samsung, but in China, Huawei holds the top spot with a 35.2% market share. Huawei's latest foldable products, such as the MateX5 and Pocket2, have undergone comprehensive upgrades in design, durability, performance, and imaging systems. Additionally, Huawei's first nova series small foldable phone has attracted a considerable number of young users.

However, Huawei's upcoming first tri-folding phone faces numerous challenges. First, its 20,000 yuan price tag may deter many consumers. Second, the limited supply could lead to shortages, making it difficult to meet user demand. Finally, intense competition from other manufacturers is a hurdle that Huawei must overcome.

vivo: Unstoppable Rise

vivo secured second place in the second quarter with a 31.9% market share, just 3.3% behind Huawei, thanks to the balanced performance and positive market reception of its XFold3 series. vivo's approach with the XFold3 series, focusing on both "thinness" and "versatility," demonstrates the company's correct decision-making this year.

For consumers, the thinness of the vivo XFold3 series is a key factor in enticing them to upgrade. Moreover, the XFold3 series offers balanced configurations, particularly in terms of imaging, with the inclusion of a Zeiss super telephoto lens that allows users to capture photos comparable to those of flagship cameras even when using a foldable phone.

OPPO, Honor, Xiaomi: A Fierce Race

OPPO did not launch any foldable products in 2024, leading to a decline in its market share, but it still ranks third with an 11.1% share. Honor closely follows with a 10.4% market share, placing fourth. Honor's MagicVFlip small foldable phone, along with the MagicVs3 and MagicV3, have received positive market feedback this year, achieving a complete foldable phone layout encompassing small foldable, outward-folding, and inward-folding models.

Xiaomi's market share is based on the MIXFold3 alone, as its new foldable product has just launched. In the third quarter, Xiaomi's market share is expected to increase.

The Competitive Foldable Screen Market: Full of Potential

Despite the years of development in foldable phones, the competition among smartphone manufacturers is just beginning. Can Huawei maintain its lead? Who will challenge Huawei? The answers remain unknown.

vivo, with its reliability, thinness, long battery life, and competitive prices, will capture a portion of Huawei's market share. OPPO, Honor, and Xiaomi will continue to push forward, launching more innovative products to provide users with more choices.

The future of the foldable screen market is full of opportunities and challenges. We eagerly await and witness this new revolution in the smartphone realm.