Samsung plans to sell a ton of foldable phones next year

Samsung's mobile division targets $90.7 billion in sales for 2026, an ambitious projection underpinned by plans to sell 35 million Galaxy S26 units and 5 million foldable phones. This optimistic outlook is attributed to the strong performance of its AI-enhanced Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 7 models, with the company emphasizing next-generation AI capabilities as a key differentiator against rivals like Apple. Despite some underperforming products, such as the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung anticipates significant growth in its mobile segment driven by these strategic product launches.

Analysis

Samsung's mobile division projects an ambitious $90.7 billion in sales for 2026, significantly above its typical performance. This target is underpinned by plans to sell 35 million Galaxy S26 units, a substantial increase from the 22 million Galaxy S25 units estimated for the first six months of 2025. Additionally, the company aims to ship 5 million foldable phones in 2026, signaling strong growth expectations in this premium segment.

The optimistic outlook is primarily driven by the strong market reception of its AI-enhanced Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 models, which exceeded expectations. Samsung is strategically positioning "next-gen AI" as a core differentiator for its upcoming Galaxy S26 series, aiming to capitalize on a perceived lag in AI integration from key rival Apple, which registered a negative sentiment score of -0.2 in this context.

While the company's overall sentiment is strongly positive (0.65), indicating confidence in its product roadmap and market execution, investors should note the underperformance of niche products like the Galaxy S25 Edge. The focus remains squarely on high-volume flagship devices and the expanding foldable market to achieve the stated revenue growth.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should closely monitor Samsung's execution of its "next-gen AI" strategy and its impact on market share, particularly against competitors like Apple.
• Evaluate the feasibility of Samsung's ambitious 2026 sales targets, especially the 35 million Galaxy S26 units and 5 million foldable phones, as these are key drivers for the projected $90.7 billion revenue.
• Assess the broader market adoption of AI-enhanced smartphones and the potential for margin expansion in Samsung's mobile division, given the premium positioning of these features.