London-based research firm Omdia has released its figures for foldable OLED display shipments for 2032 projections. It is projected that shipments will reach 124.6 million units by 2032. A shipment of this magnitude, according to them, amounts to an 8.6% share of the entire OLED display market. These foldable OLED display shipments 2032 projection paints a brighter picture for the future of foldables and should encourage new entrants into the market.
How does this compare with 2024?
In the year 2024, 23.1 million units of OLED displays shipped to consumers. This growth is attributed to new foldable models entering the market. Omdia estimates these to be over 20 new ones. For the current year 2025, they expect that we’ll see a “modest” spike in the market for foldables. That spike is put at just 1.6%, amounting to 23.5 million units shipped. This will no doubt lead to foldable OLED display shipments reaching the projected 124.6 million units shipped.
The challenges facing the foldables market
There are two pain points in this report regarding foldables and why they’ve seen a slower adoption rate. While we’ve seen constant iterations from the likes of Samsung, Google , and Vivo, consumers are still shy about purchasing one. Those two challenges remain: a hefty price tag and consumer preference for conventional phone slabs.
Other challenges in the past could have included their bulk, hinges, and battery, but we continue to see improvements in these areas. The recently released Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 improves in these areas.
Could Apple shift the trajectory for foldable devices?
One thing that could shift the trajectory might be the entry of a new player such as Apple. News of Apple developing a foldable has been in the news for a long time now, and it has not materialized. They sure know how to take their time.
Apple often launches devices into the market when it feels it is not much of a gimmick and are better optimized. There is an article that elaborates on why Apple could be taking its time with releasing a foldable device. It mentions the screen as a possible cause for the delay. Foldables have a crease problem. The crease is the line left in the middle from where the device joins at the hinges.
Apple’s other concerns and the foldables market outlook
Apple’s other concerns involve the battery capacity and hinges. Sources write that Apple wants to bring to market a device that improves in both of these areas. If and when it launches its own foldable, that could definitely shift the trajectory or outlook for foldables. An outlook that Omdia points out could create potential interest and growth.
Jerry Kang, Practice Leader at Omdia, puts it this way: “An entry from Apple would fundamentally validate the foldable category and ignite demand far beyond the current Android ecosystem.” He concludes his remark by looking ahead to 2026 as the inflection point for foldable devices.
