Motorola quietly overtakes Samsung in foldable phone market, analysts say
Breaking: Motorola now leads foldable phone sales globally
A new market analysis reveals that Motorola has surpassed Samsung in global foldable phone shipments for the first time. The shift happened in Q4 2024, with Motorola capturing 38% of the market share compared to Samsung's 32%.
"This is a stunning reversal," said Dr. Lisa Chen, senior analyst at TechInsights Research. "Motorola's aggressive pricing and wider availability of their Razr series have finally paid off."
According to IDC data, Motorola shipped 2.7 million foldable units in the last quarter, up 145% year over year. Samsung shipped 2.3 million, a decline of 12%.
Background: The foldable phone race
Samsung launched the first Galaxy Fold in 2019, quickly dominating the early market. Competitors like Huawei, Oppo, and Google struggled to gain traction. Motorola's revamped Razr debuted in 2020 but was initially limited to select regions.
"We always believed in the clamshell form factor," said Motorola spokesperson Raj Patel. "Our strategy focused on durability and affordability, not just innovation."
Motorola cut prices by up to 30% in 2023 and expanded to 40 new markets. Samsung, meanwhile, kept prices high and focused on premium features.
What This Means: A new leader in a niche but growing segment
The shift indicates that consumers prioritize value and practical design over brand prestige. "Motorola proved that you don't need the thinnest or most feature-packed foldable to win," said Chen.
Samsung is responding with a mid-range Galaxy Z Flip model expected later this year. But analysts warn the company may have lost its early mover advantage.
Motorola's victory also pressures other Android manufacturers to reconsider pricing. "If Motorola can do it, why can't Google?" asked mobile industry consultant Mark Reyes.
The foldable phone market is still small—only 3% of total smartphone sales—but growing at 60% annually. Whichever brand captures mainstream adoption early could dominate for years.