Are Foldable Phones Worth It? Pros, Cons, & What to Know

Just over seven years ago, the first foldable phone was released into the market. At that time, to many people, foldable phones felt more like those expensive prototype phones that drew intrigue, but were not practical enough to gain mainstream traction. Today, that’s very far from the case, mainly thanks to Samsung’s continued innovation in the foldable phone space.

Are foldable phones worth the hefty price tag and drawbacks?

In this article, we’ll look at the early days of foldable phones, how they came to be what they are now, their advantages, limitations, and whether they’re worth the investment for you.

The Evolution of Foldable Smartphones

The First Foldable Phone

In 2018, Royole shocked the world by beating tech giants like Samsung in the race to release the world’s first commercially available foldable smartphone, the FlexPai. Reviews of these devices alarmed potential buyers and enthusiasts due to their poor build quality and software, among other issues. Then, less than a year later, Samsung finally released its long-teased Samsung Galaxy Fold to the world.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold/Galaxy Z Fold

Although the release of the first Samsung Galaxy Fold was a big success, the phone was not without its issues. The original Galaxy Fold was plagued with quality and durability issues, and its massive price tag only amplified these issues, with some reviewers calling it an expensive prototype phone. However, for a first-generation product, it was a good first dip into the untapped foldable phone market.

A year later came the Galaxy Z Fold 2. With the Z Fold 2, Samsung stamped itself as the undisputed foldable king and started reaping the fruits of this new market. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 improved in several key areas over the Galaxy Fold. For one, it was a much more durable device. Secondly, it wasn’t just a foldable; the Galaxy Z Fold 2 was the first true premium foldable phone.

In that same year, 2020, Samsung also released their first clamshell foldable Galaxy Z Flip, and it was an instant success. At the time, it seemed as though Samsung had nearly perfected the foldable formula after just a year, but they were quite far from it.

Huawei and Motorola

Although Samsung gained dominance in the foldable market, they weren’t without challengers: Huawei and Motorola. In the same year that Samsung released the original Galaxy Z Fold (2019), Huawei and Motorola also released their first foldable devices. The Huawei Mate X and Motorola Razr 2019.

The Huawei Mate X took a different approach to folding: outer folding. Its unique approach didn’t save it from being plagued by a host of durability, functional, and software issues, in fact, it most likely contributed as the main screen was always exposed to the elements. All this while, the US ban was stifling Huawei’s sales and material supply chains.

Motorola, on the other hand, went ahead to revive a beloved foldable form factor with the Razr phone. The Motorola Razr was met with critical reviews due to its middling camera setup, poor battery life, and expensive $1500 price tag; it sacrificed too much to fold. But the vision was clearer than ever.

Modern Innovations

In just seven years, foldable phones have transformed from a niche curiosity to a mainstream reality. Thanks to significant advancements, these devices have shed their bulky, heavy image, with some models like the Honor Magic V3 now even slimmer than traditional candy bar phones. This evolution has also seen the rise of key players and innovative designs, including the Google Pixel Fold, showcasing the diverse landscape of foldable technology.

Early concerns about foldable phones’ durability have largely been addressed, including waterproofing. Foldable phones have proven their longevity, with many devices functioning flawlessly and holding their value for years. Additionally, the quality of materials continues to improve. Battery life and camera performance, once significant drawbacks, have also seen significant improvements. This progress is evident across the board, from the sleek design of the OnePlus Open to the innovative form factor of the Google Pixel Fold, demonstrating the ongoing refinement of the foldable phone market.

To experience the evolution firsthand, consider exploring models like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Google Pixel Fold (Pixel 9 Pro Fold), and the OnePlus Open. These devices showcase the remarkable progress made in the foldable phone market.

The software of foldables also saw major improvements. No longer the clunky and unoptimized system it was when foldable phones were first released. Android is now able to fully take advantage of the foldable form factor, especially when it comes to multitasking. Also, most major apps and games are fully compatible with foldable phones now.

Advantages of Foldable Smartphones

Enhanced Multitasking

Foldable phones offer enhanced multitasking on a mobile platform. Thanks to the big inner screen of a foldable phone, you can easily run multiple apps simultaneously without everything feeling jammed.

Also, thanks to features like the taskbar, you can easily and quickly switch between apps faster, making your workflow smoother.

Large Display, Compact Size

One of the best things about foldable phones is that they can go from phone to mini-tablet in just 2 seconds. A foldable phone gives you an immersive tablet-like experience for movies, gaming, reading, and other media consumption.

And when you’re done with your tablet-like experience, you can easily fold your device, and it becomes a rectangular phone you can easily carry anywhere.

On the same grounds, a clamshell foldable phone like the Galaxy Z Flip takes compactness and portability to a whole new level. By folding it in half, it can fit into small pockets and spaces.

Mindfulness

Normal phones have gotten too good at distracting people; just look at how many times you pick up your phone/open an app with a specific action in mind only to be swept away by something else.

Clamshell foldable phones help us resolve this issue, thanks to their smaller outer screens. The outer screen of most clamshell foldables is just big and functional enough for you to perform basic tasks but not so much for you to be swept away by an unexpectedly interesting-looking TikTok notification. At the very least, the extra step of opening up the phone could help reduce the doom-scrolling.

Disadvantages of Foldable Smartphones

High Cost

Foldable phones cost a lot to put together, especially if you factor in all the research and development (R&D) costs and complex production processes. These high costs are ultimately passed down to consumers.

Even after several years of commercial availability, foldable phones remain a premium product category. Book-style foldable phones typically range from $1600 to $1800, while clamshell models generally fall within the $900 to $1000 price range. Many times, despite the extra cost, these phones don’t perform as well as flagship candy bar style phones.

Limited App Optimization

Despite Android/Foldable software making significant improvements, there are still plenty of apps that are not well-optimized for the foldable form factor. Leading to the app malfunctioning or even crashing repeatedly when opened.

Heavier and Bulkier Design

While advanced foldable phones like the Honor Magic V3 have achieved impressive thinness, the majority of foldable phones are still thicker and heavier when compared to traditional smartphones. Although this drawback is understandable given the complex engineering involved, it still remains a notable drawback that impacts the overall user experience.

Are Foldable Phones Worth The Investment Today?

These are the reasons they are and aren’t worth it:

Yes, Foldable Phones Are Worth It

If you’ve always loved the immersive experience of a tablet’s large screen but found its size impractical for everyday use, foldables offer the perfect balance of a big screen and portability.
If you want a multitasking powerhouse that’ll help boost your productivity and creativity, you can’t go wrong with a foldable phone. In fact, Samsung takes this a step further with the S Pen for Foldable, allowing you to enjoy the stylus experience on a foldable screen.
On the clamshell side, for those who prioritize portability, or maybe you’re drawn in by the nostalgia of flip phones.
Or maybe you’re just an enthusiast who loves anything and everything tech.

If any of these describe you, then a foldable phone is a worthy investment for you.

No, Foldable Phones Aren’t Worth It

If the features of foldable phones don’t make up for their high price point
You have serious concerns about software and app optimization limitations hindering your experience and limiting the full potential of the device.
If you’re still not convinced about how durable new-generation foldable phones are, especially for daily use.

Conclusion

Are foldable phones worth it today? It depends. While manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei, OnePlus, and Google with the Pixel Fold continue to refine the technology, making it more durable and feature-rich, key concerns remain. Foldables excel at multitasking and offer immersive large screens in a portable form, with clamshells even promoting mindful phone use.

However, their high cost, occasional app optimization issues, and relative bulky size are drawbacks. If a large screen and multitasking are crucial and budget is less of a concern, a foldable is worth the premium. If budget and portability are priorities, a traditional smartphone is still more practical. As the technology matures and prices fall, foldable phones will undoubtedly become more mainstream.

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