Foldable phones still have one big problem...
Samsung has spent seven years refining its foldable phones, and after getting a closer look at the company’s latest lineup in London, it’s clear these are the most polished versions yet. They’re thinner, lighter, more durable, and more practical than ever. The problem? They still cost a lot.
This year Samsung introduced three foldables: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The improvements aren’t flashy, but they’re meaningful. The phones are easier to hold, the displays are brighter with less glare, battery life is better, charging is faster, and even the crease where the screen folds is less noticeable.
While I was at Samsung’s launch event, I talked with several tech reviewers who had spent time using the new devices. Even though they all come from different outlets, the feedback was consistent.
The Fold continues to shine for people who want more screen space without carrying a tablet. Reading books, reviewing PDFs, browsing the web, watching videos, and multitasking are all experiences that benefit from the larger display. The Flip, meanwhile, remains appealing because it’s so compact.
There’s also something that’s harder to quantify. Foldables are simply fun. Opening your phone into a tablet still feels futuristic, even years after the category debuted. For people who enjoy trying new technology, that’s part of the appeal.
But nearly everyone I spoke with agreed on one thing that’s holding foldables back: the price. The Flip starts around $1,200, while the Fold lineup climbs well beyond $2,000. Despite years of improvements, foldables haven’t become much more affordable, which keeps them out of reach for many buyers.
That could start to change if Apple enters the foldable market, as widely expected. Even if Apple doesn’t make foldables cheaper, its arrival would almost certainly bring more attention to the category and encourage more people to consider whether a folding phone is worth it.
After spending time with Samsung’s latest devices, I came away impressed. The hardware is no longer the biggest question mark. The value proposition is. If you’ve been curious about foldables, this is the strongest case Samsung has made so far. The challenge is deciding whether it’s worth paying a premium for that extra screen.