China's foldable phone market continues to boom

China’s foldable phone market is heating up again. According to a new IDC report, 2.63 million foldable phones were shipped in the third quarter of 2025. This is a healthy 17.8% jump from last year.

From January through September, total shipments reached 7.62 million units, up 14.3% year-on-year. IDC thinks the number will climb to nearly 10 million by the end of the year, showing that foldable phones are no longer just a passing trend; they’re here to stay.

Huawei isn’t just leading, it’s dominating. The company now controls almost 70% of the entire market. It’s also the first Chinese brand to ship more than 15 million foldable phones overall. That success comes from Huawei’s steady push for top-tier performance and daring designs like its tri-fold and wide-fold models. Those moves have helped set new standards for what a foldable phone can be.

Honor came in second with an 11.2% share, thanks to the buzz around its Magic V5 and Magic V Flip phones. The Magic V5, famous for being one of the thinnest foldables ever, has earned plenty of love from users for its sleek design and light feel.

Vivo took the third spot with 5% of the market. Its X Fold5 line struck a balance between solid pricing and great performance, and the way it connects easily with Apple’s ecosystem made it stand out from the crowd.

OPPO wasn’t far behind with its Find N5 series, the first foldable to pack a flagship-level chip. Samsung also returned to the top five with the Galaxy Z Fold7. It has gotten praise for its slimmer build and polished look, a return to form for the Korean giant.

IDC’s research manager, Guo Tianxiang, said foldables have come a long way. The thick bodies and fragile hinges that once scared people off are mostly gone. Cameras are sharper, batteries last longer, and the designs feel tougher and more refined. In short, these phones finally feel ready for everyday life.

Big screens are still the main attraction. Whether you’re watching movies, working, or just scrolling, that extra space makes a difference. Foldables have gone from being fancy tech toys to real, everyday devices, even status symbols for some buyers.

New shapes like tri-fold and wide-fold phones are keeping things exciting, giving brands new ways to stand out. As production gets cheaper and repairs easier, IDC believes foldables will drive a new wave of innovation in smartphones. And if things keep going this way, foldables might soon define what it means to own a premium phone in China.