Why Samsung enjoys a monopoly in the foldable mobile phone market in India

According to CMR, the foldable market in India is expected to grow at a staggering 64% compound annual growth rate until 2026, accounting for a 20X growth in foldable smartphone shipments

It has been three years since India got its first foldable smartphone with a bendable screen. And the brand that got it here – Samsung – continues to be the only player in the segment. With reason.

The South Korean electronics maker recently launched two new models, and one of them, the Galaxy Z Fold4, is among India's most expensive smartphones – starting at Rs 1,54,999.

The fourth iteration since inception, the Galaxy Z Fold4 enables experience that is otherwise not possible with conventional bar-shaped smartphones. When unfolded, it is like a tablet with a big bendable 7.6-inch secondary screen.

The screen is