If you’re like me and have a passion for cutting-edge technology, you’ll be excited about the progress in the folding phone category in recent years. The latest launch, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, highlights a year filled with innovations aimed at addressing the concerns people have had about earlier foldable devices. Now more than ever, these phones are proving they can be as reliable and user-friendly as traditional smartphones.
Multiple brands have released folding phones this year, each competing for the title of the thinnest model. In what seems to be a three-way race for the world’s slimmest folding phone, one contender stands out by also offering that coveted smartphone-like experience we’ve all been waiting for.
It’s astonishing that we are only seven years into the era of folding phones. These devices now fit comfortably in your pocket, delivering performance similar to that of traditional smartphones. Yet, Apple has yet to unveil its much-anticipated iPhone Fold. Every major Android manufacturer is keenly eyeing the foldable market as well, eager to introduce competitive models.
Let’s explore the evolution of folding phones and what the future has in store.
2018 — 2020: The Birth of Folding Phones
It’s worth noting that the first commercial folding phone was launched in 2018 by a relatively unknown company, Royole, which introduced the Flexpai in China. Priced starting at ¥8,999 (approximately 1,250 USD or 1,163 EUR), it didn’t quite live up to the expectations surrounding foldable technology.
The following year was pivotal as Samsung launched the Galaxy Fold, and just days later, Huawei showcased the Mate X, a device that wrapped the main display around the back, offering a sleeker profile compared to its rivals.
The Motorola Razr made its iconic comeback on November 13, 2019, joining the competition. The flip-style phones were reintroduced, leading to the debut of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip in February 2020, solidifying the flip phone game in the U.S.
While there have been endeavors from various brands to create flip phones, Motorola and Samsung stand out as the primary players in that market due to limited competition.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2, launched in September 2020, made a significant impact with its full-screen front design and greater durability, thanks to the revolutionary Ultra-Thin Glass. It featured a larger battery and triple-camera setup that enhanced its capabilities, and also introduced Samsung DeX, an experience that continues to define their foldable offerings.
2021 — 2023: The Era of Evolution
The years 2021 and 2022 saw the folding phone market explode. Samsung continued its trend with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 4, with the latter being hailed as their best model until the Z Fold 7. Huawei also made strides with the Mate X2, and other brands, such as Xiaomi and Oppo, joined the competition with foldable devices of their own.
The year 2023 marked a significant shift in the market. Samsung launched the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, while Google introduced its first-generation Pixel Fold. Honor placed an emphasis on lightweight designs with the Magic V2, which has gained much attention in the community.
However, it was the OnePlus Open, also known as the Oppo Find N3, which garnered rave reviews for its standout camera features, long battery life, and an impressively compact and light design—making it a strong contender in the foldable phone market even after two years.
Flip phones also entered a new era, strictly focusing on big screens that become standard, especially with the 2023 Razr series leading the charge. It forced competitors like Samsung to rethink their designs, particularly with the advent of the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
2024 — 2025: The Era of Ultra-Thin Designs
The ultra-thin phone era has officially arrived, beginning last year with the Honor Magic V3. This device was celebrated for being just 4.4mm thick when unfolded. Soon after, the Oppo Find N5 took the title of the thinnest folding phone at 4.2mm.
Shortly after, Honor struck back with the Magic V5, measuring a mere 4.1mm thick when opened. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 also proved its mettle by being the lightest folding phone on the market at just 215 grams, just slightly lighter than the Magic V5.
This progress means that the gap between foldable phones and traditional smartphones has never been smaller, with the Z Fold 7 reflecting cutting-edge design, top-notch specs, and an exceptional camera system.
2026 Onwards: Will Apple Join the Fold?
Yet, Apple remains a significant player absent from the foldable phone market. The anticipated launch of the iPhone Fold in September 2026 could be a game changer. Historically, Apple’s entry into any smartphone category tends to propel it to greater heights.
Samsung has led the charge in this evolving foldable phone arena with models like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, showcasing their ability to innovate. With Apple’s participation imminent, and most brands likely to react with new releases, the future looks bright for folding phones. As you can imagine, I can hardly contain my excitement!
For those eager to keep exploring the fascinating world of technology, including the latest in foldable devices, I encourage you to check out the latest content on Moyens I/O.