Omdia Forecasts 44% Foldable-Display Growth in 2026 as Wider Screens Gain Ground

Omdia expects shipments of AMOLED displays for foldable smartphones to reach 29 million units in 2026, a 44% increase from a year earlier. Its latest forecast points to wider book-style devices as a major source of demand, with Samsung Display positioned to strengthen its lead in the panel supply chain.

These are projected component shipments, not a count of phones purchased by consumers. Omdia explicitly tracks foldable panels and finished handsets separately: displays can ship before device assembly, and inventory or production timing can keep the two measures from matching within a quarter.

Two different uses of 44%

The forecast contains a second 44% figure that describes something else. Omdia expects panels for wide-screen foldables to represent 44% of all foldable-panel shipments this year. The first percentage measures annual growth; the second measures the share taken by a particular screen format.

The research firm expects that wide-format share to exceed 60% in 2027 as more Chinese manufacturers enter the segment. Those figures are forecasts, not results already achieved.

Wider aspect ratios, including 4:3 and 14:10 designs discussed by Omdia, can make the unfolded screen more suitable for multitasking, browsing and other tablet-like activities. The firm identifies the newer Samsung and Apple designs as important drivers of the shift.

Samsung Display is forecast to gain share

Omdia projects a 66% share of the foldable-display market for Samsung Display in 2026, supported by its supply of AMOLED panels for Samsung’s Fold8 and Apple’s iPhone Duo. It expects Chinese panel makers to lose share as demand from Chinese foldable-phone brands weakens.

The outlook highlights a changing component market rather than proving that foldable phones have become affordable or widely adopted everywhere. It does not establish retail demand, prices or availability in individual markets such as India or Bangladesh.

Sources

• Omdia: original October 21 forecast and measurement notes
• GSMArena: foldable-display market coverage