Will foldable phones set the trend for smartphone usage in 2023?

Even though it's only the first quarter of 2023, news about upcoming foldable phones from various brands has already started to circulate, signaling a year filled with foldable device launches, but perhaps with exceptions. According to

, an astonishing 23 foldable smartphones are expected to debut in 2023, a remarkable indication for the foldable device market.

Foldable Phones - A Booming Territory

According to

, the global foldable phone market has been forecasted to grow by 52%, with over 22 million units shipped worldwide in 2023. Calculating from the growth rate since 2019, the foldable phone market has been expanding its market share significantly. From 2019 to 2021, it nearly tripled in quantity each year; and from 2021 to 2022, it grew by 1.5 times. Similar projections for 2023 suggest a 1.5-fold increase compared to the previous year.

It's no wonder given the involvement of both major and minor players in the foldable smartphone market, including Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, Motorola, and even lesser-known brands in Vietnam like Tecno and TCL. All have introduced their first foldable phone products, indicating a positive sign for the new generation of phones. Moreover, the growth potential of this market has yielded optimistic figures, making foldable phones a trend across the entire smartphone market.

However, it's apparent that current foldable phone products mainly come from manufacturers in China and South Korea. American representatives seem somewhat lukewarm toward foldable devices; while Motorola, under Lenovo's umbrella, dabbles in the foldable market, Microsoft's 'foldable companion' like the Surface Duo seems even less committed. Yet, with rapid and sustainable development in both market share and popularity, it's inevitable that companies like Google and Apple will take notice. The prospect of a Pixel Fold or an iPhone with a foldable screen may just be a matter of time, as foldable smartphones are becoming a trend of interest for both manufacturers and users.

Manufacturers Racing to Deliver Appealing Models 

At the CES event in 2023, four foldable smartphone models from Chinese manufacturers were introduced, such as OPPO's Find N2 and Find N2 Flip, boasting significant hardware upgrades on the N2 and a practical 3.26-inch external display on the Find N2 Flip. However, these models were actually unveiled towards the end of 2022; the CES event served as an international debut platform for the OPPO Find N2 Flip. Furthermore, rumors about the OPPO Find N3 have begun to surface, hinting at an upgraded screen compared to the OPPO Find N2.

• Read More: OPPO Find N2 Flip: 5 Reasons to Own This Incredible Device!

Additionally, the CES event also witnessed the debut of two models: the Honor Magic Vs and the Tecno Phantom V Fold, featuring a foldable design similar to the Galaxy Z Fold4, albeit with a hinge that isn't as flexible as Samsung's. Nevertheless, this signals significant interest in foldable devices, regardless of whether they are from global brands or not.

Not stopping there, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is also rumored to launch in the third quarter of 2023 with comprehensive upgrades in design and camera compared to its predecessor. Xiaomi's counterpart, Realme, has also been hinted by the company's CEO about two foldable devices, one horizontal and one vertical (Fold and Flip), set to launch soon. The new Motorola Razr has also been confirmed by Lenovo's CEO to launch in the near future.

• Read More: Realme Teases Duo of New Foldable Smartphones, Ready to Rival Samsung

Moreover, the final boss of the foldable smartphone world - the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 - are predicted to debut in August 2023 with high expectations for usability improvements, focusing on practicality and refining what the fourth generation still lacked. Similar to how this year's series was handled - addressing and improving upon the shortcomings of its predecessor.

And there could be other names ready to unveil foldable smartphones, such as OnePlus or even Google with the long-rumored Pixel Fold. The increasing number of foldable phones is a testament to the vibrant and fierce competition in the foldable phone market this year and in the near future.

With the upcoming flood of releases from various manufacturers, users' access to foldable phones will become increasingly effortless. The widespread acceptance of this line of devices will likely turn it into a trend and a worthy consideration for smartphone purchases/upgrades.

Combined with the current range of reasonably priced foldable phones and upcoming models from various brands, users can easily choose from a wide array of models that suit their needs and budgets. Unlike three years ago when owning a foldable smartphone required a large sum of money, foldable smartphones now compete in price with regular flagships, and with the increasing number of options from various brands, prices will become even more favorable, driving the foldable smartphone trend forward.

There's always anticipation among users for Apple's entry into the foldable phone market. While other brands have been pushing the foldable phone craze to its peak, especially in 2023, it seems that Apple will continue its tradition of introducing bar-shaped phones this year.

Carrying the nickname 'the redefine player,' Apple might be awaiting further market feedback on foldable phones. Being a company that prioritizes practicality in device usage, Apple may not go for extravagant designs but rather focus on functionality and user experience. Whether Apple will overlook foldable phones like it did with past trends or intentionally lag behind remains to be seen.

Perhaps both Tim Cook and Apple have their own direction for foldable screen products, and we, as users, may have to wait until 2025, as predicted by Ming-Chi Kuo, to see the debut of the first foldable iPhone or iPad.

Despite being termed as trends, this wave is different

In this article, the term 'trends' is used to refer to foldable smartphones, showcasing the immense attention given by manufacturers to the foldable phone market in 2023. Users have also shown significant interest and positivity towards foldable screen smartphones after Samsung's proven success. Hence, past trends may fade away, but for foldable screens, they might become a standard or a new choice in the phone form factor. Similar to how we define sandals and sneakers in the context of shoes, foldable phones are becoming a new category alongside candy-bar phones.

While it might be premature to call the foldable phone market a success, it could very well become a reality given the current development of foldable screen smartphones. The growing interest and acceptance from both domestic and international users, along with what manufacturers are doing with foldable phones, suggest that their widespread adoption across various market segments is not far off.

• Explore more: Taking a tour of the foldable phone market worldwide and in Vietnam

Discussing everyday usability, foldable smartphones have proven their practicality with the ability to transform into mini tablets for horizontal folding phones and the fashion-forward, compact design of vertical folding smartphones. They appeal to the majority of users through various aspects such as functionality, work-related needs, aesthetics, and staying on trend. All of these can be met by foldable screen smartphones.

Interim Conclusion

Alongside the trend of camera upgrades, it's almost certain that the 'new meta' in the phone industry will be foldable smartphones. With the influx of major players from both South Korea and China, 2023 will mark the beginning of the foldable phone movement. The market is showing significant competition among manufacturers to grab a piece of this lucrative pie. Let's wait and see if Samsung and other foldable phone manufacturers can create an appealing and sustainable foldable phone ecosystem this year!

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