When Samsung unveiled its latest foldable—the Galaxy Z Fold 7—in July, many claimed the age of folding smartphones had finally arrived. For anyone considering a foldable device, this one felt like a strong contender. Even die-hard Apple fans admitted it was exciting, opening up an entirely new way to experience a phone.
Samsung, alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 7, saw record-breaking preorders. The message was clear: consumers were warming up to foldables. What began as a niche experiment has now evolved into mainstream devices, competing directly with traditional bar-shaped phones.
The foldable journey started back in 2018 with Royole’s FlexPai, followed by Samsung’s first Galaxy Fold in 2019. Soon after, Google joined with the Pixel Fold, Motorola revived the legendary Razr, and Chinese brands like Huawei and Xiaomi pushed designs thinner, lighter, and sleeker. Even Nokia re-entered the game with modernized flip models. And while Apple has remained quiet, reports suggest its first foldable could launch in 2026, marking a significant turning point.
Yet despite the hype, foldables still make up less than 2% of global smartphone shipments in 2024. For most people, the motivation to upgrade simply isn’t strong enough—unless the device offers something drastically different from what already fits in their pocket. That’s the value proposition foldables aim to deliver.
The pattern mirrors earlier tech shifts. In the early 2000s, flip phones ruled. BlackBerry then revolutionized messaging. And in 2007, the iPhone redefined what a phone could be: a full-screen device without physical buttons. It took competitors years to catch up. Similarly, Samsung’s 2019 Galaxy Fold was groundbreaking, but plagued with fragile screens, hinge problems, and durability concerns. Like any first-generation innovation, compromises were inevitable.
Fast forward to today—the Fold 7 is slimmer, stronger, and packed with better battery life. It now rivals traditional flagships in endurance and usability. The technology has matured, solving early pain points like dust vulnerability and short lifespans. Where foldables once lasted a year or two, they now promise three to four years of daily use.
Even so, price remains a major barrier. Most foldables sit between $1,500 and $2,000, cementing them as luxury items. The market is tiny—around 20 million units a year, compared to over a billion smartphones sold globally. Still, Samsung has begun breaking that ceiling, offering the Flip 7 at $899, signaling a shift toward accessibility.
Apple’s rumored foldable could be the true game-changer. Leaks suggest a book-style iPhone with a 7.8-inch inner display, reinforced hinge, and improved durability. Unlike competitors, Apple’s strategy isn’t about being first—it’s about entering only once the technology is stable and the user experience is seamless. If Apple succeeds, foldables could transition from niche luxury to mainstream necessity.
Tech companies also see foldables as the perfect stage for AI-powered features. Larger screens make multitasking easier, boost productivity, and enable more immersive creativity. Google, Samsung, and others already pitch their foldables as “AI-first devices.” A foldable iPhone designed around this philosophy could blur the lines between smartphone, tablet, and laptop—offering one device that does it all.
The appeal is clear: instead of owning both a $1,000 phone and a $500–$1,000 tablet, you’d carry just one hybrid device. Compact when you need it to be, expansive when you want more. That’s the promise foldables bring—and the reason the industry believes this form factor is not just a passing trend, but the inevitable future of smartphones.
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