Imagine slipping a small tablet into your pocket without the usual lump and guilt. That’s the promise foldable phones finally started to deliver in 2025 — but one familiar problem keeps most buyers on the sidelines: cost.
The hardware leap
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold turned a lot of skeptics into believers this year. Where early foldables felt like engineering experiments — heavy, gap-prone and fragile — the newest models show how quickly the design problems have been solved.
- Samsung managed to make the Z Fold 7 roughly the same size and weight as a flagship "glass brick" phone: Engadget noted the Fold 7 actually tips the scales a touch lighter (7.58 oz) than Samsung’s S25 Ultra (7.69 oz). That thinner profile matters. It turns a device that used to require pocket planning into something you can use every day. For a look at where Samsung is exploring next, its tri‑fold prototypes suggest a possible path forward for even larger, more versatile displays (Samsung’s tri‑fold showcase).
- Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold brought the other big checkmark: IP68 dust and water resistance for a foldable. That’s not glamour — it’s practical. Hinges are complicated, and keeping grit and moisture out protects both longevity and buyer confidence.
- Design: Thinner, lighter foldables prove the engineering challenge isn’t insurmountable. Expect more devices chasing the pocketable-tablet sweet spot. See how other thin phones are competing on ergonomics and battery life in recent launches like the Motorola Edge 70 (Motorola’s thin phone experiment).
- Form factors: Beyond the book-style fold, manufacturers are prototyping tri‑folds and rollables — some trade-offs will be made between screen area, thickness and hinge complexity.
- Software: Real mainstream adoption needs consistent app behavior across devices. Android updates and developer tools help, but the ecosystem still has work to do.
- Pricing and service: Lower price points or cheaper repair options (and broader trade-in programs) will be the quickest levers to accelerate uptake. Meanwhile, discounts and seasonal deals can make the tech accessible; the Pixel 10 family saw aggressive promotions that nudged purchase decisions for some buyers (Pixel 10 discount trends).
And then there’s the crease, still visible but far less disruptive than the panic it used to cause. In daily use it’s often out of sight and out of mind — most people don’t touch the exact fold line on an 8-inch display as they would a smaller screen.
Why the software still matters
Hardware is only half the story. Foldables ask different things of apps and operating systems: resizable layouts, multi-window behavior, and seamless transitions between folded and unfolded states. Google has published guidelines for larger screens, but the experience still varies across manufacturers. That inconsistency can make a Fold feel like a novelty rather than a productivity tool for many users.
Some reviewers and users say that when the software behaves, foldables feel like a new category; when it doesn’t, the benefit is mostly bragging rights.
Money, repairs and mainstream inertia
If durability and ergonomics have improved, price has not followed suit. The Z Fold 7 launched around $2,000 — more than its predecessor — and repair costs remain daunting: replacing a foldable display can approach the price of a new flagship phone. Analysts and reporters point out that supply-chain pressures and rising component costs don’t help the situation either.
Market research paints a more optimistic long view: a recent industry report projects the foldable market could reach roughly $63.8 billion by 2029 at a compound annual growth rate above 20 percent. That suggests demand is growing, but it also implies foldables will climb through price-sensitive segments slowly, not overnight.
Where consumers stand in 2026
Despite better hardware and improving sales figures — Samsung reported notable upticks in Fold 7 adoption — mainstream buyers often stick with conventional candy‑bar phones. Reasons are familiar: resale value, camera quality expectations, repairable parts, and software polish. For the average buyer who prioritizes durability, dependable cameras and a lower total cost of ownership, the conventional smartphone still makes more sense.
Some analysts hope Apple’s entry could reshape the market, but history shows the company moves only when its ecosystem and supply chain are ready. Until then, Android makers will continue iterating and experimenting — thinner hinges, better coatings, possibly new folding geometries.
A few places to watch
If you’re asking whether now is the moment to switch: it depends. If you want novelty and the best pocketable big-screen experience money can buy, the newest foldables are finally delivering. If you need predictable costs, long-term durability, and the widest app compatibility, waiting another cycle or two will reduce the gamble.
Foldables are no longer fragile prototypes. They’re real products with real advantages. The remaining obstacle is economic: unless prices come down or repairability improves, most of the market will watch from the sidelines while enthusiasts carry the torch — and the bill.