Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Size (2024 - 2030):

The global market for foldable laptops and tablets was valued at USD 31.98 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to attain a valuation of USD 51.78 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.21% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.

Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Overview:

Foldable laptops and tablets represent innovative portable computing solutions featuring expansive, flexible screens that can be effortlessly folded for enhanced compactness and ease of mobility. Foldable laptops incorporate touchscreen capabilities, while foldable tablets offer the additional functionality of a stylus pen. This foldable design allows users to adjust the display size according to their preferences without compromising on screen integrity. Complemented by external magnetic keyboards, these devices are lightweight, portable, and boast high-end specifications, including advanced processors, graphic cards, extended battery life, and ample RAM and ROM capacities. Offering superior quality for work, gaming, and communication, they also reflect an emerging trend towards hybrid devices, such as foldable laptop-tablet combinations, and innovative rollable display technologies like rollable AMOLED displays, which expand from a compact to a large screen size, enriching the user experience.

Drivers of the Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market:

The significant change in consumer usage patterns is fuelling the growth of the global foldable laptops and tablets market.

A significant shift in consumer usage patterns is propelling the expansion of the global foldable laptops and tablets market. Consumers increasingly seek computing devices that adapt to their evolving needs, requiring not only enhanced performance but also the flexibility and portability that foldable laptops and tablets provide. This factor significantly drives market growth.

The increasing disposable income of consumers is also contributing to the growth of the global foldable laptops and tablets market.

Furthermore, the rising disposable incomes of consumers globally contribute to the market's expansion. With greater spending power, consumers are inclined towards advanced technologies, resulting in a heightened demand for foldable laptops and tablets. These devices, with their expansive screens, touchscreen capabilities, robust processors, and graphics, enhance productivity, creativity, and work efficiency, thus fueling market growth.

Challenges in the Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market:

The global foldable laptops and tablets market faces challenges primarily due to the higher prices and limited availability of these devices. The technological advancements and high-tech features of foldable variants currently contribute to their premium pricing. Additionally, as these devices are relatively new to the market and offered by a limited number of companies, their availability remains constrained.

Opportunities in the Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market:

Market penetration strategies present significant growth opportunities for the global foldable laptops and tablets market, especially in regions like Asia-Pacific and South America, where the demand for advanced computing devices is burgeoning. Leading tech companies can capitalize on this opportunity by expanding their product offerings in these regions, thereby expanding their customer base and bolstering overall revenue.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market:

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a notable impact on the global foldable laptops and tablets market. Strict lockdown measures and travel restrictions imposed across various nations disrupted the manufacturing capabilities of major laptop and tablet companies, leading to shortages in skilled labor and disruptions in supply chains. This resulted in manufacturing slowdowns and shutdowns, negatively affecting the demand for laptops and tablets, including their foldable variants. However, with the widespread shift to remote work and online operations due to the pandemic, there was an increased demand for laptops and tablets. The education sector, in particular, witnessed a surge in demand for these devices for online learning purposes. Thus, the market experienced both challenges and opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent Developments in the Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market:

• In December 2022, ASUS unveiled its first foldable laptop-tablet hybrid, ZenBook 17 Fold OLED, featuring a 17-inch folding OLED display, 12th-generation Alder Lake Intel Core i7-1250U processor, and 16GB of RAM, among other features.
• In November 2022, Samsung Electronics patented a foldable laptop with a dual-display, featuring a flexible AMOLED screen with a split in the middle of the keyboard for horizontal display folding.
• In September 2022, Lenovo introduced the updated variant of the ThinkPad X1 Fold, featuring a 16.3-inch folding OLED display that transforms into two 12-inch displays when folded, powered by 12th Gen Intel Core U9 i5 and i7 processors, with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, along with various display enhancements such as Dolby Vision playback support.

Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Segmentation:

Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Segmentation: By Type

• Foldable Laptops
• Foldable Tablets

In 2022, the segment of foldable laptops demonstrated the highest market share. This growth is attributable to the presence of expansive screen displays featuring touch screen capabilities, accompanied by additional physical keyboard functionalities. Moreover, foldable laptops boast enhanced processors and graphic cards. Comparatively, foldable laptops exhibit more extensive RAM and ROM, further fueling growth within this segment.

Foldable tablets are poised to witness the most rapid growth throughout the forecast period. These devices showcase laptop-like features, ensuring ease of portability and compatibility with various wireless keyboards. Furthermore, they offer expansive displays and HD viewing areas, garnering popularity among gaming enthusiasts and avid binge-watchers. Additionally, ongoing technological advancements such as screen size extension sliders and bending capabilities continue to drive innovation in this domain. Companies such as Samsung and LG persist in their efforts to develop foldable tablets tailored to diverse consumer needs.

Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Segmentation: By End-User

• Consumer
• Business
• Gaming
• Educational
• Others

By the year 2022, the consumer segment emerged as the leader in market share. This growth can be attributed to the escalating adoption of computing devices, which not only enhance work efficiency and productivity but also offer unparalleled convenience and flexibility. Modern organizations necessitate robust laptops for an array of tasks, spanning coding and programming to document editing, graphic designing, and presentations. The advanced technologies embedded within foldable laptops and tablets expedite the processing of these demanding tasks. Moreover, the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend within corporate environments has bolstered the demand for portable and compact devices such as foldable tablets.

Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Segmentation: By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

In 2022, the online segment secured the largest market share. This growth is attributed to the widespread embrace of e-commerce platforms and online retail avenues. E-commerce platforms provide unparalleled convenience, product authenticity, competitive pricing, and comprehensive product reviews for foldable laptops and tablets. Additionally, users benefit from a diverse array of options, enabling them to select their ideal foldable laptop and/or tablet. These factors synergistically drive growth within this segment.

The offline segment commands a notable market share, with electronics stores witnessing a surge in demand for cutting-edge foldable laptops and tablets. Furthermore, consumers' inclination to physically interact with products, coupled with concerns regarding receiving defective items, has contributed to the market demand for foldable laptops and tablets.

Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
• South America

In 2022, North America emerged as the frontrunner in the global foldable laptops and tablets market. This growth can be attributed to the early and widespread adoption of innovative technologies within the region. Moreover, the average disposable income of consumers in North America surpasses that of other regions, further propelling segment growth. Notably, major market players such as Dell, HP Inc., Intel, Apple, and Microsoft are headquartered in this region. The rise in multitasking requirements among businesses has also heightened the usage of foldable laptops, offering dual-screen functionality.

The Asia Pacific region is poised to witness the swiftest growth during the forecast period. This growth is fueled by increasing government initiatives, including Make in India, Digital India, and Made in China 2025. Additionally, the region hosts prominent companies such as Samsung, Lenovo, Asus, LG Electronics, and Huawei Technologies, which hold significant market presence. Ongoing technological innovations such as extended battery life, larger display sizes, improved dual-screen efficiency, among others, further contribute to this growth. Notable foldable laptops in this region include the Lenovo ThinkPadX1 Fold and Asus Zenbook 17 Fold.

Global Foldable Laptops and Tablets Market Key Players:

1. Lenovo (China)
2. Samsung (South Korea)
3. Asus (Taiwan)
4. LG Electronics (South Korea)
5. Microsoft (United States)
6. HP Inc. (United States)
7. Intel (United States)
8. Dell (United States)
9. Apple (United States)
10. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China)