Huawei and Honor together control 81 percent of China's foldable smartphone market in the first quarter of 2026, according to new data from IDC. Huawei holds a dominant 60 percent share while Honor captured 21 percent, nearly doubling its 11.2 percent share from the third quarter of 2025.
Honor aims to close the gap as premium demand drives category growth
The broader Chinese smartphone market saw total shipments fall 3.3 percent year over year to approximately 69 million units during the same period. Foldable devices continue to outperform the overall market segment as consumer demand for premium form factors remains strong despite the wider industry contraction.
Oppo, vivo, and Xiaomi collectively account for just 15 percent of the foldable market in China, with individual shares at 6 percent, 5 percent, and 4 percent respectively. This concentration highlights the intense competition between the two leading brands in a niche but growing category.
Honor responded to the latest rankings with a brief social media post stating it aims to learn from the best, acknowledging Huawei's position as the company it is actively chasing. The comment signals Honor's aggressive strategy to close the gap in a market where premium foldable adoption continues to accelerate.
The data reflects shifting dynamics in China's smartphone sector as manufacturers compete for high-end consumers willing to pay premium prices for innovative hardware. Foldable shipments maintain their growth trajectory while traditional slab designs face headwinds from economic pressures and saturated replacement cycles.
Source: IDC, GIZMOCHINA
