Huawei remains firmly in control of China’s foldable smartphone market, but Honor is starting to chip away at its lead.
Fresh IDC figures for Q1 2026, shared by Honor Global CMO Guan Haitao on Weibo, show Huawei holding a dominant 60% share of China’s foldable segment. Honor came in second with 21%, continuing the momentum generated by its Magic V lineup.
The rest of the market trails well behind. Oppo captured 6%, while Vivo and Xiaomi accounted for 5% and 4% respectively. Combined, Huawei and Honor now control more than four-fifths of China’s foldable market.
Huawei’s position is hardly surprising. The company has consistently led the category over the past year thanks to strong demand for its Mate and Pura foldables, along with the growing reach of its HarmonyOS ecosystem. Back in Q3 2025, Huawei’s share was close to 70%.
What stands out in the latest numbers is Honor’s progress. Its share has nearly doubled from the 11.2% recorded in Q3 2025, helped by newer devices such as the Magic V6, which has attracted attention for its slim design and flagship-level hardware.
The broader smartphone market in China wasn’t as healthy. IDC estimates total shipments fell 3.3% year-over-year in the first quarter to around 69 million units, with higher component costs and supply-chain pressures weighing on demand.
Foldables, though, continue to outperform the wider market. Consumer interest in premium devices remains strong, and manufacturers are still finding ways to improve the experience with thinner designs, less visible creases, and better battery life.
Industry data from late 2025 already hinted at this trend. Foldable shipments reached 2.63 million units in Q3, up 17.8% from a year earlier, and that momentum appears to have carried into 2026.
Honor acknowledged the latest rankings with a simple “Learn from the best” post on social media, a nod to the company it is chasing.
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(Source: Guan Haitao Thomas on Weibo)
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