The smartphone industry may be approaching its biggest design shift in more than a decade. After years of incremental improvements to conventional rectangular handsets, foldable phones are emerging as a serious alternative, combining portability with larger, flexible displays.
Once dismissed as expensive technological experiments, these devices are becoming increasingly practical as manufacturers improve their designs, software and battery performance.
Samsung, Motorola, Google and Huawei are among the companies competing in this evolving market. Although foldable smartphones have been available since 2019, concerns over durability, software compatibility and prices exceeding $1,500 initially restricted their appeal.
That picture is gradually changing. Research firm IDC had projected shipments of 25 million foldable smartphones for the year under review, representing nearly 40% growth over the previous year. The increasing variety of devices also reflects growing confidence in the technology.
Motorola's $700 Razr demonstrates how foldable technology can make smartphones more compact without sacrificing screen size.
The flip-style handset features a 3.6-inch external display when closed, allowing users to make calls, send messages, check notifications and take selfies without opening the device.
Unfolding the Razr reveals a 6.9-inch display, comparable to conventional large-screen smartphones. The device also supports split-screen multitasking, although the relatively narrow display can make working across two applications less comfortable.
Its most significant advantage is portability. The phone folds into a compact shape that fits easily into smaller pockets, addressing concerns about increasingly bulky smartphones.
The Razr also delivers respectable battery performance, lasting approximately 36 hours under the conditions of the review. Its camera produces sharp, colourful daylight photographs, although low-light photography remains a weakness.
The visible crease along the folding screen is another limitation, particularly under direct reflections.
At $1,800, Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold targets consumers seeking larger displays and greater multitasking capabilities.
When closed, the handset offers a 6.3-inch screen, allowing it to function like a regular smartphone. Opening the device reveals an 8-inch display, approaching the dimensions of a compact tablet.
The larger screen makes reading, watching videos and working across applications more convenient, potentially reducing the need to carry a separate tablet.
Compared with the original Pixel Fold, the newer model is thinner and lighter. Its camera delivers accurate colours in daylight and low-light conditions, while battery life extends through approximately one day of use.
However, the premium price remains a significant barrier. Consumers can purchase a conventional smartphone and a separate tablet for considerably less.
The two devices highlight different opportunities in the foldable market. Motorola prioritises portability and affordability, while Google focuses on productivity and screen space.
Both demonstrate meaningful improvements over earlier generations, although display creases, durability concerns and high prices remain important considerations.
Competition could intensify further as manufacturers refine flexible-screen technology and production costs decline. Apple's reported exploration of foldable devices could also influence the market's future direction.
For now, affordable flip phones appear better positioned to attract mainstream buyers, while larger book-style foldables remain premium products.
The industry's challenge is no longer simply proving that screens can bend. It is making foldable phones sufficiently affordable, durable and useful to replace conventional smartphones.