Foldable Market Sets Record, But Xiaomi Shipments Drop 54% in Q3 2025
Xiaomi NewsWednesday, 03 December 2025 at 09:30
The global foldable smartphone market hit its highest shipment level ever during the third quarter of 2025. Shipments across the industry increased by 14% year-over-year. Foldable devices now account for 2.5% of all smartphones sold globally. This growth shows that consumers now trust the durability of these larger screens.
However, the quarter presented a significant exception.
Xiaomi’s Shipment Drop
Xiaomi saw a sharp drop in foldable shipments, falling by 54%. The reason for this contraction is clear: Xiaomi did not release the new MIX FOLD 5 model this year. Without a fresh flagship, the company could not effectively compete.
This substantial decline reflects a challenging period for Xiaomi in the premium segment. It also highlights the intense competition from other brands in the Chinese market.
Competitive Performance Analysis
While Xiaomi struggled, most of the market leaders expanded their reach:
| Brand | Year-over-Year Growth | Key Driver |
| Samsung | +32% | Maintained market leadership with the successful Galaxy Z Fold7. |
| Vivo | +67% | Posted the largest growth rate due to strong sales of new models. |
| Motorola | +16% | Benefited from its competitive Razr 60 line pricing and better distribution. |
| Huawei | +10% | Showed steady growth driven by consistent demand for its Mate series. |
| Honor | -31% | Was the only other major brand to record a significant drop in shipments. |
The demand for book-style (horizontally folding) devices continues to drive the market. Consumers favor these for productivity and entertainment uses.
Future Market Landscape
Market analysts expect double-digit growth to continue through 2025. This growth will be accelerated by thinner designs and more AI features in the future.
- Samsung’s Strategy: Samsung released the limited-edition Galaxy Z TriFold. This model acts as a technical demonstration. It allows Samsung to test hinge reliability and software before launching tri-fold designs widely.
- Apple’s Influence: Apple is projected to enter this category in the second half of 2026. This event will drive massive market competition. All existing manufacturers will be forced to innovate quickly.
Xiaomi must respond to this evolving landscape with a strong MIX FOLD 6 release next year to recover its position.
Key Points:
- Global foldable shipments grew 14% in Q3 2025
- Xiaomi's shipments dropped 54% due to no new MIX FOLD 5 release;
- Samsung saw 32% growth, keeping the market lead;
- Vivo had the largest growth at 67%;
- Apple is predicted to enter the foldable market in 2026.
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