Apple’s Foldable Phone Entry and Standardized Hinges to Drive Market Penetration Past 3% by 2027

TrendForce reports that Apple’s anticipated foldable device launch in the second half of 2026 is projected to increase foldable phone market penetration from 1.6% in 2025 to over 3% by 2027. Advances in hinge technology, particularly the shift from multi-part to integrated designs, alongside improvements in materials and device thickness, are enabling thinner, lighter foldable phones. Hinge technology has become a central competitive factor.

The global foldable hinge market is expected to reach US$1.2 billion in 2025, with hinges comprising 5–8% of a device’s bill of materials (BOM) cost. Since 2023, Samsung’s adoption of the Teardrop hinge in its Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip series has set an industry standard, enhancing flatness, durability, and reducing crease visibility. To improve yield rates and reduce costs, the industry is adopting simplified hinge designs through modularization, mortise-and-tenon structures, and laser welding, transitioning to reference designs and common specifications for better assembly efficiency and supply chain profitability.

Suppliers like Taiwan’s Shin Zu Shin and U.S.-based Amphenol are implementing standardized production for Teardrop hinges, while Chinese firms NBTM New Materials and Gian Technology are leveraging powder metallurgy and micro-mechanical precision processing for cost-effective product...