Huawei has not only established a stronghold in the foldable smartphone market within China, but it is also significantly widening its lead. According to recent data from International Data Corporation (IDC), Huawei shipped an impressive 2.506 million foldable units in the final quarter of 2024, which translated into a commanding market share of 48.6%. However, the tech giant has further escalated its dominance, reportedly shipping 2.842 million units in the first quarter of the current year, thereby capturing an overwhelming 76.6% of the market share.

This remarkable growth represents a 53.1% increase year-on-year and marks a significant rebound from the previous quarter, where the company experienced a 9.5% decline in year-on-year shipments. Such a resurgence highlights Huaweis strategic agility and innovation in a fiercely competitive environment.

Interestingly, Huaweis expansion in the foldable sector has been accompanied by notable declines for its competitors. The most affected player in this landscape is Honor, which saw its share plummet from 20.6% in Q4 2024 to a mere 9.1% in Q1. This dramatic drop illustrates the fierce competition and rapid shifts in consumer preferences.

In a comparative analysis, Honors decline places it just above Oppo, which managed to secure 7.1% of the foldable market in China, an increase from its previous 5.3% share in Q4. While Oppo's growth is not as staggering as Huawei's, it does indicate positive momentum for the brand. Meanwhile, vivo, which previously held a significant position in the foldable market, is conspicuously absent from the current rankings.

Xiaomi also faced challenges, with its market share decreasing from 7.4% in Q4 to just 2.6% in Q1. Its worth noting that both Xiaomi and vivo have not released any new foldable models since early to mid-2024. Oppos latest foldable, the Find N5, was introduced only a few months ago in February, meaning its effects on market share may not become apparent until the second quarter.

Last year, Huawei made headlines with several innovative launches, including the first-ever tri-foldable smartphone, the Mate XT Ultimate, alongside the book-style Mate X6 and two flip models, the Pocket 2 and nova Flip. Kicking off this year, Huawei introduced an eye-catching and inventive new model, the Pura X, further cementing its reputation for innovation in the foldable space.

In terms of the broader smartphone market landscape in China, Huawei finds itself vying closely with Apple, as vivo maintains its lead position. As the market continues to evolve, the competition is expected to intensify, making the coming quarters critical for all players involved.