Foldable Phone Panels Headed for Major Growth, Says DSCC CEO

dominate the market, he said. Growth was lower than expected because Commerce Department export restrictions on Huawei prevented the company from introducing its Mate X2 in-folding smartphone as planned in Q4, he said. That assures Samsung will maintain market leadership in foldables, at least until Apple jumps in with a foldable iPhone, he said. 5G “finally took off” in foldables in 2020's second half with Samsung’s launch of the Z Fold2 and Z Flip 5G and Motorola’s debut of the Razr 5G, he said. In 2020, 52% of the foldables shipped will be 4G models, but 5G is expected to “dominate” in 2021 and beyond, he said. DSCC is forecasting Apple will field its first foldable iPhone in 2023 with a clamshell design, followed by an in-fold model in 2024, said Young. Apple’s iPhone supplier Foxconn is believed to be testing “large volumes of foldable panels” this quarter, he said. Foxconn didn't respond to questions. “Given Samsung’s limited sales in the U.S., we think Apple could grab a lot of share with foldables in the U.S. if they can be convinced it’s a durable product,” said Young. DSCC expects Apple would source foldable panels from Samsung Display, he said. Apple didn’t comment.