What are foldable phones?
Overview
Folding phones, also called foldables or fold phones, are smartphones with bendable displays. A flexible OLED screen and a precision hinge let the phone fold open into a larger display or fold shut into a more compact shape. The concept of foldables isn’t new. Clamshell flip phones were everywhere in the early 2000s. However, they were thicker and had rigid screens. Today’s foldables use a single continuous display that runs across the fold. Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple all now offer at least one foldable, and the category is becoming a recognisable part of the smartphone landscape rather than a novelty.
The latest folding phones
iPhone Duo
A new way to iPhone. In a thin, foldable design with a durable titanium frame, it has the largest iPhone display ever. Enjoy unique iOS experiences, 48MP Dual Fusion camera system and an A20 Pro chip.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
The Galaxy Z Fold8’s uninterrupted lie-flat display blazes at 3,000 nits and is perfect for all types of content – 4:3 ratio for immersive viewing unfolded, 16:10 for life on the go. It’s powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and its dual 50MP cameras and Follow Cam keep every subject beautifully in shot. Now Nudge keeps your day one smart step ahead.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
The thinnest and most powerful Fold yet. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra opens up an 8-inch display built for multitasking. Run apps side by side, and make the most of your time thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. The 200MP main camera captures life in extraordinary detail, while the 5,000mAh battery keeps you powered all day long.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8
The thinnest and lightest Flip yet – with a durable metal frame and hinge, and IP48 water resistance. Its bigger, more customisable FlexWindow lets you launch your favourite apps in a flash. Now Brief serves up personalised insights before you’ve even opened it. Then flip it open to capture every angle hands-free with the versatile FlexCam.
Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold
Your new Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold comes with valuable extras, including six months of Google AI Pro for enhanced AI experiences and three months of YouTube Premium, so you can stream videos and music without ads and enjoy more of what you love.
Motorola Razr 70 Ultra
Craftsmanship meets endurance. Powered by a 5000mAh battery, the largest among leading flip phones, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Capture smooth images with the triple 50MP camera system featuring a new LOFIC sensor for superior low-light performance. Interact effortlessly with the responsive 4-inch external display.
HONOR Magic V6
A fresh foldable frontier. Featuring an elegant 7.95-inch LTPO AMOLED screen. The HONOR Magic V6 merges top-tier performance with exceptional durability. Thanks to its 6,660mAh battery and ultra-fast charging support, you can focus on living, not charging. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor and 16GB RAM for entertainment and gaming.
HMD Barbie Phone
Relive the joy of simpler times and do a digital detox with this glamorous flip phone – it’s pink, chic, and even has a mirror for touch-ups on the go. It comes with two alternative cases: one inspired by the vibrant swirls of the 1992 Totally Hair Barbie™ doll and the other featuring a vintage shooting heart design. The iconic Barbie pink keypad has designs of palm trees and flamingos that light up in the dark. Personalise it with sparkly gems, stickers, and a phone strap with Barbie charms.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE
Join the foldable revolution at a competitive price, without compromising on specs. With a bright 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen and a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, every scroll is effortless. Stay powered with Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and share the energy with Wireless PowerShare. Capture every angle with the 50-megapixel and 12-megapixel dual rear cameras, while the 10-megapixel front camera keeps your selfies sharp.
Types of folding phones
There are two main types of folding phones: book-style and clamshell. Book-style foldables, as their name suggests, fold like a book. The hinge runs vertically along one long edge, and the phone unfolds into a tablet-sized display. Closed, they look like a thick but pocketable smartphone. Clamshells, on the other hand, look like a regular smartphone when opened and fold in half, reminiscent of the 2000s flip phones.
| Book-style | Clamshell-flip |
|---|---|---|
Fold axis | Vertical (opens like a book) | Horizontal (opens like a flip phone) |
Typical unfolded screen size | 7 to 8 inches | 6 to 7 inches |
Cover screen | Narrow front display for notifications | Larger front display for quick actions |
Closed footprint | Phone-sized, thicker | Half-height, pocketable |
One-handed use | Only when closed | Both open and closed |
Best suited to | Bigger-screen tasks: reading, streaming, multitasking | Portability and everyday phone use |
Common models |
Benefits of foldable phones
What to consider when choosing a folding phone?
A foldable is still a phone, so all the usual factors apply – but the folding element adds a few things to think about:
Type – Book-style offers a larger screen but is bulkier; clamshell gives you portability but a standard-sized open screen.
Screen size – Check both the inner and the outer displays. Bigger isn’t always better; it affects weight, pocketability, and one-handed use.
Cover display – How useful is the screen on the outside? Some can run apps; others are just for notifications. If you want to use your phone closed, this matters.
Battery life – Foldables have bigger screens to power, but also more physical space for a battery. Look at real-world battery life, not just the capacity figure.
Camera – Some foldables use the rear camera for closed use; think about how you plan to take photos.
Thickness and weight – A slim phone when open may still feel bulky when closed. Try holding it to assess comfort.
Folding phones vs traditional smartphones
Foldables and traditional smartphones do the same core things: calls, messaging, photos, apps, and streaming. They differ in how they approach the screen.
A traditional smartphone has one rigid display. It’s simpler, thinner, lighter, and more durable. The trade-off is a fixed screen size.
A foldable gives you a choice: fold to fit your pocket or expand for a bigger view. The cost is added thickness, a hinge, a higher price, and a display needing more careful handling.
They each suit different priorities. If you want a single, durable, lightweight phone, a traditional smartphone is a strong choice. If changing screen size on demand is worth the cost, a foldable opens up possibilities a flat phone can’t.
How foldable screens work
Foldable screens use flexible OLED, often AMOLED, which emits its own light and needs no backlight, making them thin enough to fold. The organic layers sit on a bendable substrate rather than rigid glass, so the panel can flex without shattering. AMOLED also delivers richer colours and deeper blacks.
Protecting that panel is Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG), thin enough to flex but rigid enough to resist scratches. The hinge holds the screen open and closed, typically rated for 200,000 fold cycles. Interlocking gears create a ‘teardrop’ shape when closing, giving the screen room to curve rather than fold sharply. Each generation has reduced the visibility of the crease, but it hasn’t been eliminated entirely – it’s an inherent trade-off of a screen that bends.
Foldables require more care than standard phones because their thinner, flexible inner screens are vulnerable to damage from sharp objects or pressure. While many have an IPX8 water resistance rating for temporary submersion in fresh water, the “X” indicates they lack dust resistance, with the hinge being particularly vulnerable.
Why Vodafone for your foldable phone?
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Frequently asked questions
Most apps work, but not all are optimised for folding screens. Apps that haven’t been updated may stretch to fill the display or appear in a phone-sized window. An increasing number of popular apps now support split-screen, large-screen layouts, and seamless transitions between the cover and inner displays. If there’s an app you rely on, it’s worth checking whether it’s been optimised for foldables.
Foldables need a bit more care than a standard phone. Here are a couple tips:
Clean the inner screen gently – Use a soft, dry microfibre cloth with no pressure or scrubbing, and never use a fingernail or sharp object.
Keep the hinge clear of dust and grit – Avoid using the phone open in dusty or sandy environments.
Use a case designed for your foldable – It protects the hinge and outer surfaces. You can browse options at Vodafone Accessories
Leave any pre-applied protective film on – Removing it can damage the display. You’ll find protectors for foldable phones at Vodafone Accessories
Store the phone closed – Keep it closed in your bag or pocket to protect the inner screen, and avoid extreme temperatures, like a hot car, which can stress both the display and the hinge.