Huawei MateX5 Leads the Charge: Strong Growth and Future Outlook for China's Foldable Phone Market

Huawei MateX5 Leads the Charge: Strong Growth and Future Outlook for China's Foldable Phone MarketDespite a slight slowdown in growth, China's foldable phone market remains robust in 2024. According to a Counterpoint Research report released on February 21st, the Huawei MateX5 secured the top spot with a 28

Huawei MateX5 Leads the Charge: Strong Growth and Future Outlook for China's Foldable Phone Market

Despite a slight slowdown in growth, China's foldable phone market remains robust in 2024. According to a Counterpoint Research report released on February 21st, the Huawei MateX5 secured the top spot with a 28.1% market share. Huawei and Honor brands each held two positions in the top five, with vivo occupying the remaining spot. This underscores the continued heating up of China's foldable phone market and its significant growth potential.

Counterpoint Research data reveals Huawei's dominance in the Chinese foldable phone market, holding a remarkable 38% market share. Five modelsthe Huawei MateX5, Huawei MateX3, Huawei Pocket S, OPPO Find N2 Flip, and Honor MagicV2captured a combined 52.2% of the market, with three of these being large-screen foldable phones. This highlights consumer preference for larger foldable devices.

Canalys' latest research report also indicates a strong rebound in the global smartphone market in 2024, with shipments reaching 1.22 billion units, a 7% year-over-year increase after two years of decline. Canalys analysts consider 2024 a year of recovery for the smartphone industry, marking the highest annual global shipment volume post-pandemic. IDC data shows that approximately 9.17 million foldable phones were shipped in China in 2024, a 30.8% year-on-year increase, with 67% of users opting for book-style foldable phones.

The success of the Huawei MateX5 is no accident. This smartphone, priced over 10,000 RMB, has garnered widespread praise since its September 2023 launch. Its ultralight and thin four-curve foldable design, featuring a 7.85-inch unfolded display and a 6.4-inch compact size when folded, offers a balance between large-screen comfort and single-handed usability. Its powerful camera capabilities and smooth system experience have also earned consistent user approval. iResearch Consulting's report corroborates this, placing the Huawei MateX5 at the top of the list of the top 5 best-selling foldable phone models in the domestic market in 2023.

Large-screen foldable phones excel particularly in multitasking. Compared to smaller foldables, they allow users to run multiple applications simultaneously and switch between them efficiently, boosting productivity. This is a key reason for the leading sales of large-screen foldable phones like the Huawei MateX5. The outstanding performance of the Huawei MateX5 and Honor MagicV2 also reflects the intense competition in the high-end foldable phone market.

However, challenges remain. The relatively high price of foldable phones currently limits accessibility for some consumers. However, technological advancements and reduced production costs are expected to drive down prices in the future, expanding the market.

Future foldable phone development will focus on thinner, lighter designs and enhanced performance. The weight and thickness of large-screen foldable phones are projected to decrease further, improving user experience. Simultaneously, the performance of smaller foldable phones will also improve, leading to smoother operation.

Apple's anticipated entry into the foldable phone market is noteworthy. As a tech giant, Apple's arrival will undoubtedly intensify market competition, stimulate technological innovation, and potentially drive down prices. This will offer consumers more choices and accelerate the adoption of foldable phones.

In conclusion, China's foldable phone market demonstrates robust growth, with Huawei leading the way thanks to its technological and brand advantages. The success of the Huawei MateX5 reflects not only Huawei's strength but also the growing consumer demand for large-screen foldable phones. With continuous technological advancements and increased participation from manufacturers, the future foldable phone market promises to be even more vibrant, bringing more surprises to consumers. Apple's entry signals even fiercer competition, ultimately benefiting consumers with lower prices and superior performance. Foldable phones will play an increasingly important role in daily life and work, becoming a crucial bridge connecting people to the digital world.

Currently, major foldable phone brands include Huawei, Honor, OPPO, and vivo, all actively developing and launching new models to meet diverse market demands. Future foldable phone innovations will center on: slimmer designs, more powerful processors, improved camera systems, longer battery life, and more intelligent software experiences.

The application scenarios for foldable phones are also expanding. Beyond daily communication and entertainment, they're playing increasingly significant roles in work, creation, and learning. For example, the larger screen offers a more comfortable reading experience and more convenient multitasking, making them highly practical for business professionals and students.

While foldable phones are currently relatively expensive, technological advancements and mass production will gradually lower prices, making them accessible to a wider consumer base. Foldable phones are poised to become a significant growth driver in the smartphone market over the next few years, bringing greater convenience and enjoyment to digital lives.

Continuous technological iteration, evolving consumer needs, and increasingly fierce market competition will drive ongoing development in the foldable phone market. In the future, foldable phones will be more than mere phones; they will be intelligent terminals connecting the physical and digital worlds, providing more convenient, efficient, and intelligent living experiences. This is a market full of opportunities and challenges, and we eagerly await its unfolding.