Foldable handsets to grab sector headlines this year

China's foldable smartphone market is expected to witness robust growth this year, mainly driven by the gradual improvement of flexible screens, software design innovations and continuous product price declines, industry experts said.

A report from market research company International Data Corp said shipments of foldable handsets in China are expected to reach 10 million units this year, an increase of 53.2 percent year-on-year. The figure is likely to reach 15 million units in 2027, with the compound annual growth rate reaching 37.8 percent.

The consultancy estimates that global shipments of foldable smartphones are projected to reach 25 million units in 2024, up 37 percent year-on-year. In addition, artificial intelligence has quickly become part of the smartphone discussion, sparking new interest in next-generation AI experiences on handheld devices.