When foldable phones were first introduced, they felt both groundbreaking and nostalgic. However, the category has started to catch on in recent years with few truly innovative updates. That’s why I’m waiting until 2027 to buy a foldable phone, because by then the competition will be fierce.
Foldable phones have lost their excitement
Over the years, the excitement faded
The the technology behind foldable displays A device dating back to 2011, when Samsung showed off its flexible device, was teased years before it went on sale. AMOLED show the prototype Consumer Electronics Show (CES). But by October 2018, the first foldable phone—Royole FlexPai– it was possible to buy.
Then, in September 2019, nearly a year later, Samsung became the first major brand to release a foldable phone. Galaxy Z Fold. However, its launch was not without problems.
The phone was originally planned to be launched earlier that year. but it was delayed after review, the units experienced significant display failures and durability issues.
Like any first generation devices, original folding phones had a number of problems. These include sustainability concerns with hardware and software optimization issues that don’t quite fit the folding design.
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- Brand
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Samsung
- SoC
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Samsung Exynos 2500
- RAM
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12 GB
- Storage
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256 or 512 GB
- Battery
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4,300 mAh dual battery
- Ports
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USB-C
The wider shape and new edge-to-edge FlexWindow make it the most usable Flip yet. It’s compact, customizable, and packed with smart AI tools right on the cover screen.
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- SoC
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MediaTek Dimensity 7400X
- RAM
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8 GB
- Storage
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256 GB
- Battery
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4,500 mAh
- Ports
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USB-C
- Operating system
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Android 15
The Moto Razr 2025 improves on the popular folding lid design with key upgrades for enhanced durability and performance. It has a tough titanium-reinforced hinge and an improved IP48 rating for dust and water resistance, making it more rugged for everyday use.
However, these problems have been solved to some extent over time, and Samsung has since released another foldable model: Galaxy Z Flip series. In addition, other manufacturers have entered the market with their own folding devices. for example Motorola Razr.
While foldable phones continue to be updated, it seems like updates to standard smartphones are minimal and get the same attention every year. They usually include faster internal components and only minor design changes without anything as revolutionary as the first generation.
It seems more obvious than that base problems persistincluding fragile displays that can fail unexpectedly, hardware left behind from non-folding smartphones, and software optimizations that are not yet fully adapted to the form factor of the internal display.
Folding phones used to bring the wow factor of something radically different from a standard smartphone, but over the years that appeal has faded. The form factor has gone from groundbreaking to simply a thicker phone with a bigger screen and a higher price tag.
More competition could shake things up
The foldable iPhone could be the jolt the market needs
Although foldable phones have been around for several years, one major player in the category is missing: Apple. But this year it is expected to change.
Currently, consumers mostly choose between manufacturers, but basically most foldable phones offer a similar experience. It includes hardware designs that run Android and are comparable with minor differences.
The foldable iPhone It could increase the needs of the foldable phone market by opening up this category to a whole new group of consumers: dedicated Apple users. It will also increase competition.
As mentioned earlier, most foldable phones today run Android and use similar form factors that fold vertically or horizontally. While each manufacturer adds their own features, the overall experience remains largely the same.
With Apple entering the market, it could push Google to further optimize Android for foldable devices and encourage manufacturers to improve their hardware.
Rumored to be called the “iPhone Ultra,” the foldable iPhone will still run iOS, with reports suggesting it will include software designed specifically for the larger internal display. It will be as Apple introduced iPad-specific features in iOS 11 In 2017, while adding features designed exclusively for the iPhone Ultra, keeping the same operating system name across all lines.
There are already signs WWDC 2026 This hints at Apple’s foldable iPhone, including a push for developers supports a wider range of aspect ratios and adding landscape support For many of Apple’s internal applications iOS 27.
In addition, Apple is said to be developing a new display material makes the wrinkle almost invisible when the device unfolds, it addresses one of the biggest complaints about current foldable phones.
While these are still rumors, more competition would benefit the foldable phone market in many ways. This would prompt Google to improve its software and encourage other manufacturers to improve their hardware to compete. Whatever Apple eventually releases.
However, I will stop for now
I will wait until 2027
While the foldable iPhone could be released this year and Android already offers plenty of foldable phones to choose from, I’m going to wait until 2027 and I’m firm on that decision.
First, I wouldn’t buy the first generation foldable iPhone because it probably won’t clean up completely. Although the first generation of devices are released to the public, they often serve as a test, the second generation usually overcomes many of the original shortcomings.
Take the Apple Watchfor example. The first generation had a number of shortcomings, and the second generation eliminated many of them.
The same thing happened with Samsung’s first foldable phone. The Galaxy Z Fold2 improves on the original Galaxy Fold by solving a few issues, such as increasing the external display from 4.6 inches to 6.2 inches.
Furthermore, it will take some time for Android manufacturers to respond to Apple’s foldable phone. These answers are unlikely to appear on this year’s Galaxy Z Fold, but they are more likely to come with the 2027 models.
With these two factors in mind, I’m comfortable waiting until next year for a foldable phone. By then, the second-generation foldable iPhone can answer many of the criticisms of the first generation, and Android manufacturers will likely have time to respond with their own improved foldable phones.
I will probably get one, but now is not the time
As it stands now, I won’t buy a foldable phone. I’m bored of them and they no longer excite me like they did when they first came out.
When I see one in the store, I still go and try it on for a minute, but the novelty wears off quickly and I’m back to my regular single-screen phone.
I’m excited about the future of foldable phones. I think increased competition will be exactly what the category needs. This will encourage manufacturers to make more meaningful software and hardware upgrades instead of continuing to play it safe with the incremental updates they do.
