The foldable smartphone's moment is finally arriving

"After six years on the market, foldable smartphones reportedly account for only 1.5% of smartphones sold. At least in part, that's because they've had a whole flock of albatrosses around their neck. Figuring out how to design ones that are inviting to use when they're folded up-and twice as thick as when unfolded-has been a challenge. They've often been outfitted with less-than-stellar cameras and other sub-flagship components."

"Recently, though, foldables seem to be hitting their stride. My colleague Jared Newman was wowed by Samsung's latest model, the Galaxy Z Fold7. Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, shipping next month, is the first foldable to achieve IP68 water and dust resistance. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the first foldable iPhone is a go for 2026-evidence that Apple believes the category is real rather than a fad to be ignored."

Fifteen years after the iPhone, the consumer tech industry continues to search for the next major personal computing device beyond the smartphone. Folding phones compress tablet-sized screens into pocketable forms while remaining smartphones. After six years on the market, foldables account for roughly 1.5% of smartphone sales. Early models faced design challenges: awkward thickness when folded, weaker cameras and sub-flagship components, uncertain hinge robustness and durability, and very high prices that began around $1,980. Recent models show progress: Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold7 impressed reviewers, Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold achieved IP68 water and dust resistance, and Apple reportedly plans a foldable iPhone for 2026. Honor released the Magic V5.

Read at Fast Company