According to UBI Research’s recently published “2026 Foldable Display Report,” the OLED market for foldable smartphones, which has remained at just over 20 million units annually for the past three years, is expected to return to growth starting in 2026. From 2026 to 2030, shipments are projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2%, while revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 11.7%. Shipments are forecast to reach 25.03 million units in 2026, generating $3.56 billion in revenue, before expanding to 39.72 million units and $5.54 billion by 2030. In the first half of 2026, foldable OLED shipments totaled 9.97 million units, with revenue reaching $1.43 billion, down 11.4% and 17.6% year-on-year, respectively. The decline was attributed mainly to weak demand for clamshell-type foldable devices, high prices, and ongoing concerns over durability. However, demand is expected to recover in the second half of the year, driven by Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold8 series and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is expected to launch later this year. As a result, full-year shipments are projected to rebound to 25.03 million units. In 2027, shipments are expected to increase by 20.2% year-on-year, followed by more moderate growth thereafter. Although foldable OLEDs are expected to account for only around 3% of total small-sized OLED shipments, their share of market revenue is projected to approach 8%. The average selling price (ASP) of foldable OLED panels is expected to decline slightly from $142.2 in 2026 to $139.5 in 2030. However, as ASPs for conventional smartphone OLED panels are projected to fall at a faster pace, the price gap between the two categories is expected to widen from 2.55 times to 2.78 times. This indicates that the price premium for foldable OLED panels will become even more pronounced. Competition is also increasingly shifting toward reducing the display crease. At its July Unpacked event, Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, featuring its “Flex Titanium” technology. The device weighs 215 grams and measures 4.1 mm thick when unfolded. UBI Research expects Apple’s first foldable iPhone to adopt a titanium structure and dual-UTG design aimed at minimizing the display crease. The supply landscape is expected to evolve into a two-way competition between Samsung Display and BOE. Samsung Display’s shipment share is projected to decline from 61.9% in 2026 to 41.0% in 2030, while BOE’s share is expected to rise from 25.5% to 32.8% over the same period. The combined shipment share of four Chinese panel makers is forecast to exceed 50% for the first time in 2027. The report identifies the initial mass-production yield of foldable OLED panels for Apple and the pace of BOE’s technological catch-up as key variables shaping the market going forward. It also notes that competition among panel makers will increasingly shift away from simply expanding market share toward securing sustainable profitability. Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)  2026 Foldable Display Report
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