Are Folding Phones Just a Gimmick?

When folding phones first reappeared in the tech world (remember, the flip phone era did happen), the reaction was a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and more than a few memes. Foldable screens? In 2020-something? Really?

Fast forward a few years, and folding phones are no longer just flashy prototypes or proof-of-concept party tricks. They’re in stores, in pockets, and getting annual updates like their traditional smartphone cousins. But despite the momentum, the question lingers: are folding phones just a gimmick—or are they the start of something much bigger?

The answer, as with most things in tech, depends on how you look at it.

What Is a Gimmick, Anyway?

Let’s define our terms. A gimmick is a novel feature added for attention, not for genuine usefulness. It’s the tech equivalent of sequins—flashy, fun, but maybe not adding real value.

So when critics call folding phones gimmicky, what they’re really asking is: Is the fold adding function—or just flair?

To answer that, we have to look at what folding phones do that slab phones don’t.

Form Factor vs. Functionality

The biggest draw of a folding phone is obvious: it folds. But within that fold lies real utility—if you’re someone who values it.

Clamshell foldables (like the Galaxy Z Flip or Moto Razr) take a standard-sized smartphone and make it pocketable. You get a full screen when it’s open and a compact footprint when it’s closed. For folks who miss the portability of older flip phones, that’s a win.
Book-style foldables (like the Galaxy Z Fold or Pixel Fold) open up into small tablets. This gives you more screen real estate for reading, multitasking, gaming, or sketching—without needing a separate device.

That’s not just eye candy. It’s a genuine design evolution that aims to meet different needs: portability, productivity, and versatility.

Are the Apps Keeping Up?

A foldable phone is only as good as the software that supports it. In the early days, many apps weren’t optimized for split screens or changing aspect ratios. That led to clunky transitions, black bars, or odd layouts.

Today? It’s getting better.

Android 12L and beyond have added features designed specifically for foldables.
App developers are improving support for drag-and-drop, dual-pane views, and seamless transitions.
Multitasking is becoming smoother, especially on book-style foldables.

Still, it's a work in progress. The tech is ahead of the ecosystem in some ways, which feeds the idea that the hardware is cool but the use case isn’t fully baked.

Durability: Still a Question Mark?

Let’s be honest—most people hesitate at the idea of a screen that folds. Early models faced issues with screen creases, hinge weaknesses, and debris getting into delicate mechanisms.

But things have changed:

Newer generations are water-resistant (to a point)
Hinge designs have become more robust
Screen protectors are now built-in and much less prone to bubbling or tearing
Creases are still there, but increasingly subtle and easy to ignore after a few minutes of use

Folding phones aren’t fragile tech unicorns anymore—they’re sturdy enough for everyday life. Just maybe not for cliff-diving.

The Price Factor

Here’s where things still feel... gimmicky.

Foldables are expensive. You’re often paying a premium just for the privilege of owning the newest form factor. And while the prices are slowly coming down, it’s still a hard sell for anyone who doesn’t need the fold.

But then again, early adopters always pay more. Remember how wild the first iPhone price seemed?

Who Are Folding Phones For Right Now?

Tech enthusiasts who love to be on the cutting edge
Multitaskers who benefit from dual-screen setups
Design lovers who appreciate innovation and aesthetics
Minimalists who want one device to do the job of two

For everyone else? Traditional smartphones still offer better value, longer battery life, and more mature app ecosystems—for now.

Not Just a Gimmick—But Not for Everyone (Yet)

So, are folding phones a gimmick?

Not exactly. They’re an experiment—one that’s finally starting to deliver real, user-focused benefits. They’re still a luxury for most, but they point to an exciting future where device flexibility mirrors the way we live: shifting, multitasking, on the go.

Will they fully replace traditional smartphones? Maybe not. But will they carve out a niche and continue to evolve into something genuinely useful and widely adopted?

That fold is looking more promising with every generation.