Foldable Phones: Still Pricey, But Getting Better
A Journey from Clunky to Cutting-Edge
Foldable phones have come a long way in the past few years. They are no longer the clunky, fragile devices they once were. Manufacturers have been working hard to improve them, and now, they have finally fixed most of the big problems. Well, except for one: the price.
The Early Days
Let's talk about the first foldable phones. They were bulky, heavy, and had tiny screens. The hinges were also a problem because they let dirt and dust in. But even with all these issues, they showed a lot of promise. They could turn into a small tablet in seconds. Who wouldn't want that?
Samsung Leads the Charge
Samsung was one of the first to make big improvements. They added water resistance and support for the S Pen on the Z Fold 3. Then, they made the Z Fold 5 even better by getting rid of the gap between the two halves when it's closed.
The Rise of Competition
Other companies like OnePlus, Google, Oppo, and Xiaomi also started making foldable phones. This competition led to even more improvements in design and software.
The Standout Phones of 2025
In 2025, two phones stood out:
- Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Got an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This was a big deal because it was the first foldable phone that could protect against both dirt and liquid.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Made a big leap. It was the same size and weight as a regular phone, but it had a huge 8-inch screen inside. In fact, it was even lighter and thinner than Samsung's other flagship phone, the S25 Ultra.
The Remaining Challenge
But there's still a problem. No phone has both of these improvements yet. However, it's only a matter of time before someone combines them. And what about the crease? It's still there, but it's not a big deal. It's like being annoyed at a convertible car because it has some extra panel gaps. You barely notice it when you're using the phone.