【#Tech24H】Rising memory chip prices have pushed up terminal prices, lifting the share of premium handsets across the overall market. Yet foldable phones, which once broke into the market with price tags around 10,000 yuan, have failed to win more buyers. IDC’s recent report shows that China’s smartphone shipments fell 15.2% year-on-year in Q3 2026, while the market share of premium models priced above $600 climbed from 23.1% a year earlier to 30.2%. By contrast, China’s foldable shipments for the same period reached only 1.77 million units, down 32.7% year-on-year, marking four consecutive quarters of year-on-year declines. The highly anticipated iPhone Duo officially launched on October 23. Apple’s entry has indeed boosted market attention, but inner-screen failures and poor app compatibility seen in the first batch revealed the newcomer’s immaturity in product reliability. As more consumers allocate their phone budgets to premium devices, foldables still need to prove their value proposition. How to turn the larger screen into tangible practical benefits, and how to attract new buyers beyond regular upgrade cycles, have become critical for manufacturers chasing the next growth wave.