From Novelty to Contender
When foldable smartphones first appeared, they were fragile, expensive, and niche. Creased screens, dust vulnerabilities, and eye-watering price tags kept them firmly in early-adopter territory. Fast-forward to 2025, and the picture looks quite different. Foldables from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and a wave of Chinese manufacturers have matured — and the question is no longer "will foldables work?" but rather "are they right for you?"
What's Improved in Recent Generations
The biggest concerns with early foldables have been addressed considerably:
- Durability: Modern hinge designs are rated for hundreds of thousands of folds. IPX8 water resistance is now standard on flagship foldables.
- Crease visibility: Still present, but noticeably less prominent with each generation. In everyday use, it becomes easy to ignore.
- Thinness: The latest foldables fold to a thickness comparable to — or thinner than — a traditional smartphone.
- Software optimization: Android and Samsung's One UI now properly adapt apps to take advantage of the larger inner display, splitting views and opening desktop-like layouts.
The Two Main Form Factors
In 2025, foldables come in two shapes:
- Book-style foldables (e.g., Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold): Open like a book to reveal a tablet-sized inner screen. Great for productivity, media consumption, and multitasking.
- Flip-style foldables (e.g., Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series, Motorola Razr): Fold vertically to a compact, pocketable size. Appeal is more about style and portability than extra screen real estate.
Who Should Consider a Foldable?
Foldables make the most sense for:
- Power users and multitaskers who want to run two or three apps side-by-side without switching back and forth.
- Frequent travelers who want a compact device that can expand for reading or watching content.
- Professionals who use their phone for document editing, spreadsheets, or video calls on the go.
- Early adopters who want to own cutting-edge hardware and don't mind paying a premium.
Who Should Stick With a Traditional Phone?
- Budget-conscious buyers — foldables remain significantly more expensive than equivalent traditional flagships.
- Users who prioritize camera performance — foldable form factors still require compromises in camera module size and quality.
- Gamers — the weight and balance of book-style foldables makes extended gaming sessions less comfortable.
The Market Is Growing Fast
Competition in the foldables space has intensified dramatically. OnePlus, Honor, Huawei, and Xiaomi have all introduced compelling foldables pushing Samsung to sharpen its pricing and features. Google's entry into the segment with the Pixel Fold lineup brought Google's renowned camera software to the form factor for the first time.
What to Expect in the Rest of 2025
Industry analysts expect continued thinning of foldable devices, further reduction in the inner display crease, and — crucially — modest price reductions as manufacturing scales up. There's also significant speculation around Apple entering the foldable market, which could accelerate mainstream adoption considerably.
The Verdict
Foldables in 2025 are genuinely excellent devices — they're no longer experiments. If you have the budget and a legitimate use case for the larger screen, a foldable can replace both your phone and tablet in one package. For everyone else, traditional flagships remain better value. But the gap is narrowing fast.