From thin to foldable: How smartphone makers signal innovation once again

I’ve noticed an interesting disconnect this year. At every mobile event, the biggest crowds Swarm about the thinnest phonesfrom iPhone Air from Apple to Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. When I take one of these slim phones out of my pocket, I’m greeted similarly by those around me.

But most people don’t actually buy these nifty devices. Reportedly, sales of thin phones for both Apple and Samsung He was DisappointingThe category as a whole remains highly specialized. Many view these thin phones as more of a spectacle than a possible purchase.

“Just because something sounds great doesn’t mean you want it at the end of the day,” said Nabila Popal, senior research director at market intelligence firm International Data Corporation. The biggest barriers for many consumers are shrinking cameras, shorter battery life, and high prices — along with no clear reason as to why a phone needs to be thin in the first place.

Does this mean we’ll see fewer stylish phones in 2026? Not likely. In fact, these devices appear to be paving the way for a breakthrough in another niche design: foldable phones.

Thin flat phones are premium devices in their own right, but they also represent an important stepping stone towards the development of sleeker and more attractive foldable phones. If you’ve got a slim design with a product like the Galaxy S25 Edge or iPhone Air, you can more easily reuse that model and turn it into a foldable phone that doesn’t look like two phones stacked together.

When Samsung was first held Galaxy Z Fold 7I was amazed by how much it is It felt like a regular phone When folded and closed, with the added bonus of a spacious interior screen and top-notch cameras. He proves that foldable devices don’t have to compromise on quality, appearance or function. This is something several phone makers have demonstrated this year, and we’ll likely see more of it in 2026.

Global foldable phone shipments are expected to grow 10% in 2025 compared to last year, according to a December 2020 report. Report from IDC. In 2026, this percentage is expected to jump to 30%, and most of this growth will be driven by smartphone giants Apple and Samsung.

The road to folding thin

Samsung has proven to be the poster child of the slim phone boom. In May, it launched the Galaxy S25 Edge. In July, it debuted the Galaxy Z Fold 7, its thinnest foldable phone. In December, I took this design a step further with Galaxy Z Foldwhich borrows from the sleek design of its predecessors and features two hinges instead of one. Z TriFold He went on sale In Korea – reportedly Sold out in minutes – In addition to other parts of Asia earlier this month, it is scheduled to launch in the United States in the first quarter of 2026.

Other companies have also showcased slim, foldable designs, from Oppo Find N5 to Honor Magic V5 And the Huawei Mate X7 phone. Huawei beat Samsung to the punch last year with its slim tri-fold phone Mate XTAs well as this year’s edition, XTs.

All eyes are on Apple to see if it will follow a similar path to Samsung. Before the announcement went live, rumors circulated about whether the phone was a phone or not A step towards the long-rumored foldable iPhone. Now the forecast is slim, A foldable iPhone in the shape of a book To make her debut next year she is on the rise.

“The launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone will mark a turning point for the foldable industry,” Francisco Geronimo, vice president of client devices at IDC, said in a statement. “Apple tends to be a catalyst for mainstream adoption of new categories.”

The foldable iPhone is expected to generate up to 10% of Apple’s total smartphone revenue, Geronimo said. Although foldables are a niche market, he says their high prices — which can be up to three times the cost of a standard phone — help boost the company’s bottom line. This is a great incentive for companies to keep pushing – and keep trying to convince you to buy.

Spending over $2,000 on a phone can be a tough sell for most consumers in an uncertain economy. But the dual phone-tablet interface in foldable devices could help them stand out, and may prompt some shoppers to justify the cost.

She saw Samsung Register pre-orders For the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which was certainly supported by the phone’s sleek design and advanced cameras, reducing the compromises that characterized previous versions of the phone. Now it’s building on that momentum with the Galaxy Z TriFold.

“Thin and foldable phones offer new designs and are easier to carry on the go,” said Thomas Howson, principal analyst at market research firm Forrester. “Although this is still a relatively niche device, early adopters and consumers looking for an all-in-one device are reacting favorably.”

The competition is heating up

Given the disappointing sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air, rumors have been circulating that Samsung and Apple may not release second-generation versions of those thin phones. But Howson points out that won’t be the case, and that the phones aren’t the disastrous disappointments they’re often made out to be.

Bhopal points out that the marketing success of the iPhone Air inflated sales expectations, but the reality fell short. But she indicated that Apple may wait to release a second version of Air so that it can improve features such as the camera and battery, which are Top priorities for most consumers.

In fact, the iPhone Air’s downsized camera and battery were the biggest grievances I had with a phone that was eye-catching and refreshing to hold. I’d also like to see Samsung pack more batteries in future versions of the S25 Edge. But these two phones were among my favorite phones to use this year because of their new, futuristic, lightweight designs.

Thin, foldable phones may seem like trivial devices that primarily appeal to the most dedicated tech enthusiasts, but they’re an important way for companies to show they’re still innovating, especially amid a sea of ​​mobile sameness.

“The latest release of the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is proof that Samsung must constantly launch new niche products to maintain its technology leadership,” Howson said.

Bhopal points out the timing of the Z TriFold’s release as rumors that Apple is looming on the horizon for a foldable “is not a friendly coincidence. It highlights how fierce the competition is at the premium level as well, and that’s how Samsung is telling the world it’s at the forefront of innovation.”

After all, this innovation is what interests people. Maybe in 2026, they’ll spend more, too.