Are foldable smartphones still as novel and interesting to consumers as when they were first introduced?
The hype around foldable smartphones seemed to return almost six years ago when Samsung released its innovative Galaxy Fold model.
Every time I hear about foldable smartphones, I go down memory lane and remember when I was about eleven years old and got my very first flip phone. I think it was a Samsung X480, and I was so pleased with it, not because I was into tech at that time or had a lot of important calls to make, but because it was something cool and different to have.
Now that I’m much older, I get the hype over the new generation of foldables, which come not only in the form of a good old flip phone but also fold like a book. What does this comeback mean to consumers?
Foldable smartphones: now and then
The very first flip phone, Motorola's StarTAC, was introduced in 1996. This novel type of device soon became popular, paving the way for other companies to release clamshell-like phones.
Flip phones reached their peak between 2004 and 2008, later giving way to touchscreen smartphones. The StarTAC alone was a huge success, selling 60 million devices worldwide. Because of their sleek and slim design, users found flip phones not only fashionable but also more practical.
One of the most popular flip phones was Motorola's Razr. The smartphone gained so much traction that it’s considered to be the best-selling flip phone to this day, with 130 million units sold worldwide. If this name sounds familiar, it’s because a new generation foldable of the same name was released 20 years after the original Razr was first launched.
The new generation of foldable smartphones returned in 2019 when Samsung released the Samsung Galaxy Fold, introducing the novelty of launching a device that folds like a book. Together with the release of the Samsung Galaxy Flip, the devices became part of the Galaxy Z series.
While the company was praised for the device’s new design, it received some backlash over its durability and quality. This escalated further when the company had to re-launch the $2000 device a couple of months later.
Sales of foldable smartphones numbered between 400,000 and 500,000 units that year.
Foldable smartphone market overview
In recent years, the foldable smartphone market has matured. Other companies have also released their own foldable variants, with Huawei even launching the very first tri-fold smartphone.
The foldable smartphone market has been growing steadily for a few years now. In 2023, almost 16 million units of foldable smartphones were shipped. That year, Samsung was the leading company, selling over 10 million devices.
Last year, 25 million foldable smartphones were estimated to have been shipped worldwide. By 2027, the number of foldable phone shipments is expected to rise to 70 million, a significant increase in just a couple of years.
What’s interesting to note is that in comparison with “regular” smartphones, foldables account for quite a small percentage of smartphone shipments. For example, in 2023, more than a billion smartphones were sold.
While it has been predicted that foldable smartphone shipments will grow, Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) reported that the market would stall in 2025.
According to DSCC, when the market grew 40% in 2019-2023 compared to previous years, it was expected to rise only by 4% in 2025.
These changes in the market are due to users showing less interest in buying the latest foldable than when they were first introduced. Foldables are mostly bought in Europe and Korea, failing to gain traction in the US and China. The report also shared that the market is dominated by Samsung and Huawei, with no new players in sight, which also takes a toll on the market.
What do users actually think about foldable smartphones?
While predicted numbers and reports on them can say one thing, consumers are ready to shed real light on the matter.
One Reddit user started a discussion by simply asking, “Are foldable smartphones worth it?” The user shared that they’re thinking of getting a foldable smartphone, but considering its higher price, they wanted to know if it’s worth it and whether the device is durable.
Keeping in mind that one of the main perks of having a foldable smartphone is a bigger display, one Redditor shared how they noticed their friend had a foldable phone but didn’t open it at all.
“Did he have a foldable phone? Yes. Did he use it? No. Limited experience, but it didn't look worth it to me,” wrote the user.
This prompted others to share their experiences, with some stating that they don’t open their phone in public but enjoy watching Netflix or YouTube via their phone at home,
“I feel like after a while, once the honeymoon phase passes, I won't use the inner screen as much,” revealed another foldable owner, who shared that it would be great if users could try such a smartphone for a couple of weeks before committing.
“If you don't have a very specific need that folding/flip phones satisfy, I don't think they're worth it,” said another user. They also shared some insights into the phones' quality, stating that their screens are fragile, they’re thicker, and rather expensive.
Nevertheless, some users found foldable smartphones more practical than regular phones. One user wrote that they bought a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and enjoyed it because it fits in their pocket and works fine even after multiple drops.
What’s next in the smartphone industry?
Now that consumers seem to have everything they might need from a smartphone to the point where it can bend and fold, how can companies surprise us?
During the Mobile World Congress (MWC) held in Barcelona, we met Benjamin Braun, Samsung’s CFO in Europe, where he told us about what drives the changes in the smartphone industry:
“The most important thing that we, as a brand, as Samsung, can do is listen to consumers and ask them what they want. Because your wish is our command. That's why we started creating phones that fold so they can still fit in your pocket, can still open them up and watch YouTube and Netflix and Disney Plus on them.”
The representative also reflected on the fact that “a couple of years ago, we didn't think it was possible to fold glass. We now fold mobile phones because people want bigger and bigger screens. Only your imagination is your barrier.”
Braun explained how Samsung’s focus on consumers helped expand its product range with devices that connect with each other and provide a more immersive experience.
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