I’ve been reviewing smartphones for more than a decade, and years of incremental updates have gotten a bit boring. Every new flagship phone is essentially the same: a glass-and-metal slab with slightly improved batteries and cameras, plus a new software feature or two.
But some companies are trying something interesting: foldable phones. Although a foldable phone is not that practical (and most are way too expensive) for most people, a phone that can transform into a tablet is at the very least exciting. And smartphones haven’t been exciting for years.
Foldable phones look like thick smartphones when closed but unfold to reveal a flexible, tablet-sized screen. You have two different types of foldables to choose from. Clamshell models such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and the Motorola Razr resemble older flip phones (like the original Razr). They have a smaller display when closed and a larger display inside. Then there are phablet-style phones, such as the Google Pixel Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. Closed, they have roughly the same shape as a modern smartphone, but they open like a book, offering both phone and tablet experiences in one device.
We love that foldables offer a huge screen for gaming and watching videos while also fitting in a pocket, but we still have several concerns, the biggest of which is how they may survive years of wear and tear.
