Folding screen mobile phone market continues to heat up
2024-10-29
Since the release of the Huawei Mate XT, a three fold screen phone, it has been in a hot selling and even "hard to find" state. Huawei Executive Director Yu Chengdong stated that the sales of Huawei's three fold screen smartphones have far exceeded expectations, and the team is working overtime to expand production capacity. Huawei has taken the lead in launching disruptive and innovative three fold screen smartphones, indicating that domestic smartphones are moving from catching up to leading in the high-end market, "said Zhang Yi, CEO and Chief Analyst of iMedia Consulting. Zhong Xinlong, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Research Office at the Future Industry Research Center of CCID Think Tank, introduced that the three fold screen mobile phone has opened up a new imagination space in the form of mobile phones and also promoted the technological improvement of the entire industry chain. In order to achieve the three fold design, innovation and improvement are needed in everything from screen materials to hinge technology. For example, the screen needs to be softer and more durable to withstand multiple folds; The hinge should be designed more intricately to ensure smooth folding and unfolding. In addition, the three fold screen phone has three modes: single screen mode, dual screen mode, and triple screen mode, which can meet the needs of users in different scenarios; The adaptation and optimization of related software also enable applications to run perfectly in different screen shapes. The "2024 China Folding Screen Mobile Phone Market and Consumer Trends Research Report" released by iResearch Consulting shows that in the first half of 2024, the pattern of China's folding screen mobile phone market presented a "one pole, many strong" trend. As the earliest manufacturer to cover all forms of products including horizontal folding, internal folding, external folding, and vertical folding, Huawei holds a 42% market share. In the ultra high end market of over 10000 yuan, Huawei's market share reaches 67%. Folding screen phones have broken the "one size fits all" situation, solving the problem of portability and large screens coexisting, and have been highly anticipated by the market since their inception. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, global shipments of foldable screen smartphones increased by 48% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024. China continues to lead the growth of the foldable screen mobile phone market, accounting for over half of the total shipments. The latest report released by IDC, an international data company, predicts that the shipment volume of foldable screen mobile phones in China will be about 10.68 million units in 2024, a significant increase of 52.4% compared to last year. The Chinese foldable screen mobile phone market is expected to occupy about 40% of the global market share in the long term, demonstrating strong market competitiveness and growth potential. The active investment and layout of domestic manufacturers in the field of foldable screen smartphones have enabled China to maintain its position as the world's largest foldable screen smartphone market. According to IDC data, in the second quarter of 2024, Huawei held a 41.7% market share in the Chinese foldable screen smartphone market, followed closely by Vivo and Honor, ranking second and third respectively. Mobile phone manufacturers focus on user needs and continuously promote the iteration and upgrading of foldable screen phones. For example, the currently popular vivo foldable screen phone not only enhances the battery life experience, but also comprehensively strengthens the performance of artificial intelligence, imaging, etc., promoting the foldable screen to enter the mature stage and driving the new supply chain system to mature and grow. Folding screen mobile phone technology is gradually maturing. After years of development, the hinge technology of foldable smartphones has become increasingly mature, capable of withstanding more folds and expansions, and the problem of creases is constantly improving. Zhong Xinlong analyzed that currently, most foldable smartphones use advanced OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens, which have good display effects, bright colors, and high contrast. At the same time, innovative screen materials such as ultra-thin glass have the characteristics of high transparency and durability, making the screen flatter, improving durability, and less prone to creases and scratches. Some manufacturers have achieved a perfect combination of hinges and screens through precise tuning and repeated testing, improving the durability of the screen and the lightweight feel of the phone. Some foldable screen phones are equipped with high pixel cameras, support for multi level physical variable aperture systems, and periscope telephoto lenses with optical zoom, providing a professional level photography experience. Some foldable screen phones are also equipped with AI Lingxi algorithm, supporting intelligent network optimization and Tiantong satellite communication functions. Folding screen smartphones are generally priced higher than regular smartphones due to their technological complexity and higher production costs. But with the expansion of production scale and technological progress, prices are expected to gradually decrease. However, compared to the overall market, foldable screen phones are still a niche market. Zhong Xinlong believes that on the one hand, high prices are a threshold that discourages many potential buyers. On the other hand, users are concerned that frequent opening and closing may reduce the lifespan of the device, and the heavy design may also affect the convenience of daily carrying. In addition, the application ecosystem for foldable screen phones on the market is not yet fully mature, and some applications may have compatibility issues in large screen mode, which affects consumers' willingness to purchase. The three fold screen mobile phone caters to the needs of a small group of users such as business people and technology enthusiasts. Due to high technology and configuration costs, it has its own precise market positioning and is currently unlikely to become a popular product. However, the three fold screen mobile phone has brought innovative breakthroughs to the smartphone market with slow growth and extended replacement cycles, "Zhang Yi believes. (New Society)
Edit:Yao jue Responsible editor:Xie Tunan
Source:Economic Daily
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