Analysts at Canalys said that while both of these companies will be followed by other vendors offering similar devices, 2019 won't go mainstream. It anticipates that foldable phones will stay “ultra-luxury devices” and it estimates less than two million units will ship during this year.

“Vendors have set realistic expectations for their sales performance”, according to Canalys senior director Nicole Peng. “Samsung and Huawei will account for the majority of foldable smartphones shipped in 2019.” 

Huawei with its Mate X and Samsung with its Galaxy Fold are there to show people that they are leaders in the field.

“Each vendor wants to prove it can achieve the greatest technological advances with its new industrial designs.”

It's cost that's the problem right now, but prices of foldable phones will drop.

Canalys estimates that cheaper devices won't affect shipments significantly.

“Any early teething problems or breakages will sour the foldable form-factor before it has had a chance to get going.”