[News] Samsung Reportedly Targets 7 Million Foldable Units in 2026 on Z Fold 7 Momentum

As South Korean media outlets Business Korea and the Chosun Daily report that Samsung plans to unveil the “Galaxy Z TriFold,” a smartphone that folds twice, on December 5, more details have surfaced about the tech giant’s renewed ambitions in foldables. According to the Chosun Daily, Samsung aims to sell 7 million foldable units in 2026, a roughly 35% increase from the estimated 5.21 million units sold in 2024.

While 2025 figures have not yet been finalized, the report suggests the company has likely surpassed its 6 million–unit target for the year, underscoring the growing momentum of its foldable lineup.

Challenges on Flip Models

However, challenges remain. The Chosun Daily notes that while Samsung’s higher targets reflect confidence from the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s success, the flip models still need significant gains in slimness and weight to drive strong sales. The report also suggests Samsung may launch a more affordable flip phone around 1 million won to boost competitiveness.

Notably, according to the report, sales of Samsung’s flip model dropped sharply, falling from 3.66 million units in 2023 to 2.89 million in 2024. Industry estimates cited by the report suggest the decline likely continued in 2025 after the model lost its No. 1 spot in the U.S. market to Motorola. As per the Chosun Daily, Motorola’s Razr 60 flip model is roughly 37% cheaper than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip.

By contrast, Samsung’s fold-style model is on the rise. Shipments grew from 2.09 million units in 2023 to 2.32 million in 2024, and analysts cited by the Chosun Daily expect further gains in 2025, fueled by the strong sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Meanwhile, the Chosun Daily notes that both Samsung and Apple, new contenders in this year’s ultra-slim smartphone race, are pulling back after lackluster market results. Instead, the two tech giants are turning their focus to foldables—Samsung is set to launch its first tri-fold phone, while Apple is reportedly planning to enter the foldable market as soon as next year.

A Glimpse of Samsung’s Z Tri-fold

After showcasing the TriFold prototype at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event in Gyeongju last month, Samsung is now gearing up to formally launch its first tri-fold smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, as early as next month.

According to the GSMArena, citing a trusted tipster, the model will feature a 6.5-inch cover display alongside a 10-inch main screen. The outer panel is said to hit a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, while the inner display reaches 1,600 nits, promising an impressive visual experience, the report notes.

However, The Chosun Daily points out that as Samsung’s first tri-fold device, the Galaxy Z TriFold boasts a far more intricate design than its existing book-style foldables, which likely drives its premium price. The smartphone is reportedly set at around US$3,000 (approximately 4.4 million Korean won), with initial shipments expected to range between 20,000 and 30,000 units, the report adds.

TechNews, citing previous media reports, suggests that the Galaxy Z TriFold will not be widely available across global markets, likely limited to China, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, and of course Samsung’s home market of South Korea.

Read more

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(Photo credit: Samsung)