Arguments against: 7 reasons why you shouldn't buy a foldable smartphone

Smartphones with flexible screens have been around for years. They were expected to revolutionize the market and become so popular that they might even supplant the more traditional monoblock form factor. However, this did not happen for many reasons. If you are thinking about buying such a device in 2025, here are some arguments that may help you make a decision.

Durability is still a concern

The most obvious problem with foldable phones is their durability. Foldable displays are made of ultra-thin glass or plastic, which are inherently more fragile than the glass used in regular smartphones. Scratches and dents can appear much sooner than you expect, even with careful handling of the phone. Accidental drops or exposure to everyday dust and debris can also cause significant damage to a foldable display.

Don't forget about the hinges, the foundation of any foldable design. Over time, the mechanism can become loose or stiff, affecting the smoothness of the folding. For people who live in dusty or humid environments, hinge degradation can accelerate, leaving you with an expensive device that no longer feels premium.

For most people, smartphones are a long-term investment. We all expect them to last three, four, or even five years. But these types of devices haven't fared particularly well in that regard. The combination of fragile screens, complicated hinges, and limited repairability puts their physical durability in question.

Repair costs are another factor to consider. If you break the internal display or damage the hinge, the repair bill can be astronomical. For example, replacing the main screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 costs $429. For that price, you can get a decent mid-range phone.

Price vs. Practicality

Foldable smartphones are expensive. Whether it's Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series, the Huawei Mate X, or any other foldable device on the market, you'll often see a price tag that's double or even triple the price of a regular smartphone. For the same price, you could buy a high-end flagship device and still have enough money for a mid-range phone or tablet.

Such a high price wouldn't be a problem if sophisticated devices offered unparalleled utility, but they don't. While a larger screen may sound like a dream for those looking for more productivity, most apps are still not optimized for use on foldable screens. Android developers have only recently started optimizing apps for large foldable screens, and even then they may not work very well.

Many apps either don't scale well or don't take full advantage of the unique form factor. The lack of optimization is especially annoying when you're trying to use multiple apps at once, which should be the main advantage of a foldable device. Multitasking on foldable devices often feels clunky and inconsistent compared to using a laptop or tablet.

Unless you're someone who's deeply interested in a specific use case, the price of such smartphones is very difficult to justify.

But perhaps the biggest downside is that every such device still has a noticeable crease where the smartphone bends, where the soft screen is forced to compress. Manufacturers are trying to minimize it, make it invisible, but so far no one has managed to do it 100%. Apple is rumored to have made significant progress on this, but its foldable iPhone isn't expected to be released until 2026.

Battery life compromises

While foldable devices are trying to match the battery life of traditional smartphones, it's a struggle to do so. Typically, such devices have three screens, which negatively affects power consumption. In addition, the form factor itself “steals” some space for the hinge, while in conventional smartphones, this space can be occupied by additional battery capacity.

While manufacturers try to mitigate this problem by optimizing and installing two batteries, real-world usage often falls short of expectations. If you need a full day of battery life, a foldable device may not be up to the task.

Limited selection of accessories and cases

Another drawback of foldable smartphones is the almost complete lack of third-party accessories. While regular smartphones have a variety of cases, screen protectors, and other additional accessories, foldable smartphones have fewer of these options.

Even when cases are available, they are often bulky. Not only can the smartphone itself feel like a brick when folded, a case makes this feeling even worse. In addition, they are significantly more expensive than cases for regular monoblock smartphones.

There are better alternatives

If you're tempted by the idea of ​​a foldable smartphone that can transform into a larger-screen tablet, you might want to consider other options. Tablets like the iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab offer larger displays, longer battery life, and a wider selection of optimized apps. All for a lower price.

If you need to multitask, a standard smartphone paired with a laptop or tablet often provides a smoother, more efficient experience.

The foldable market is still evolving

Foldable smartphones are an exciting glimpse into the future of smartphones, but they're still in the works. In fact, the owners of such devices are still a test group, testing the technology in its early stages. Manufacturers are constantly improving the design, eliminating flaws and experimenting with new features. But this is not yet the case when this or that device has already become final.

While all the current achievements are promising, they also mean that today's foldable smartphones may become obsolete much faster than regular smartphones. If you want to buy a foldable smartphone, it may make sense to wait until the technology is more perfect.

Who are foldable devices really for

After all, foldable devices are not for everyone. They are aimed at a narrow audience — enthusiasts who are willing to pay more for a modern design and idea, and are also not averse to putting up with some shortcomings. However, they are difficult to recommend to the average consumer due to numerous compromises.