4 reasons why I’d recommend a foldable (and 4 reasons why I wouldn’t)

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4 reasons why I'd recommend a foldable (and 4 reasons why I wouldn't)

Nov 6, 2026 — 5:00 AM ET

Foldable phones have come a long way. From the fragile, almost experimental devices of the early days, into reliable daily drivers that you can well and truly chuck around like any other phone. We are well past the days of peeling screen protectors and failing hinges, with modern devices offering proper IP resistance, good-enough cameras, and top-tier silicon.

Despite the category’s relative maturity, I can’t really say that foldables are or should be the default choice for everyone. Like any other tech product, foldables too have pros and cons. Here are four reasons I would personally recommend a foldable, and four reasons why you might want to stick with a standard smartphone.

Are foldable phones worth the premium for you?

Why I would recommend a foldable

The pocketable tablet experience

The most obvious advantage of a book-style foldable is the, frankly, massive display that can fit inside your pocket. When you unfold a device like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or the new iPhone Duo, you are instantly greeted by a sprawling 7-inch to 8-inch canvas.

The ability to unfold your phone into a pocketable tablet remains the biggest reason to buy a foldable.

This completely changes how you interact with your smartphone. Be it watching YouTube videos, reading, editing photos, or playing games, you’re getting a tablet-style experience on a device that can fold and fit right into your pocket. That’s transformative and the obvious selling point for a foldable.

Unmatched multitasking

Running two or three applications simultaneously finally feels natural on a phone.

You can easily drag and drop a file from your file browser into your email app, or keep a Slack window open on the left side while referencing a web browser on the right. A large inner display provides enough physical real estate for each application, and turns a pocketable device into a legitimate mobile workstation. This productivity boost is, perhaps, the biggest reason to splurge on a foldable.

Flex mode and hands-free utility

I wouldn’t go as far as calling the various modes in which you can prop up the phone as modular, but there’s certainly flexibility in features like Flex mode. Being able to fold your phone halfway and set it on a desk is a very nice-to-have feature for daily utility. You can watch Netflix while eating lunch without hunting for a pop socket, or take stable, hands-free video calls during a meeting. Furthermore, this form factor allows you to use the high-quality rear cameras for taking selfies while using the cover screen as a live viewfinder. It completely eliminates the need to rely on a low-resolution front camera. Can’t complain about that.

Tactility

Switching from flip phones and sliders, we lost a lot of hardware tactility. Perhaps I’m being nostalgic, but I get a lot of satisfaction from physically snapping a device shut to end a phone call or finish a task. It provides a definitive, tactile conclusion to my use of the phone that a swipe gesture simply cannot replicate. Foldable phones bring back some of that tactility.

Physically snapping a phone shut gives you a satisfying old-school end to a task that a swipe gesture simply cannot replicate.

As a side note, there’s also a digital wellbeing benefit to it. The foldable device serves as a physical barrier against doomscrolling. Can I use the outer screen? Sure. But it’s not ideal, and the act of unfolding the device and launching an app acts like an effective deterrent to hours of Reddit usage.

Why I would not recommend a foldable

The premium price tag

The most significant barrier to entry remains the prohibitive cost. There are no two ways to go about it. Smartphones are already getting really expensive, and with foldables starting to touch $2,000 and beyond, it is hard to make a case for foldables for most users.

It's hard to recommend a foldable when a regular flagship costs less and delivers better cameras, battery life and usability.

Regular flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Pixel 11 Pro, or the iPhone 18 Pro are better suited for most users, not just because of the price, but also for their better cameras and overall usability. This makes it hard to recommend a foldable to someone who is on the fence, because you’re no longer choosing between two different styles of devices at similar price points, but instead paying a lot more for a smaller battery, worse cameras, and a foldable screen that may or may not be useful.

Durability and plastic screens

Modern smartphones have gotten a lot better. Between IP68 ratings and improvements in hinge manufacturing and materials, they are fairly robust. But there are still a few limitations that you can’t ignore. The inner display, for example, is still effectively plastic. If you spend a lot of time at the beach, sand is going to wreak havoc on your foldable’s inner display. A stray fingernail or a piece of grit in your pocket can do the same. I live a relatively adventurous lifestyle, and I know a foldable won’t keep up with it no matter how much I want one.

The physical bulk and weight

Hardware manufacturers have made incredible strides in thinning down folding devices, but you are still essentially carrying two smartphones stacked on top of each other. When closed, book-style foldables are noticeably thicker and heavier than a standard flagship.

Even as foldables get thinner, carrying two halves of a phone comes with an obvious weight and bulk penalty.

This added bulk becomes immediately apparent when you slip the device into a pair of tight jeans or try to use it one-handed for extended periods. If you prioritize a sleek, lightweight everyday carry, you will absolutely notice the heft of a foldable. No two ways about it.

Battery life compromises

Powering a large inner display takes a lot of power, but the folding hinge leaves little room for a large battery. Manufacturers get around this by splitting the battery into two smaller cells, but that comes with its own trade-offs.

Add the power draw of the larger display to the equation, and battery life can take a hit. If you regularly use the inner screen, don’t be surprised if you need to reach for a charger before the day is over. This might work for some people, but if you need a phone that lasts, a foldable won’t quite cut it.

Foldables are exciting, but they still have plenty of compromises

Foldables are undeniably the most exciting trend in mobile technology today, offering a level of versatility and flexibility that traditional smartphones cannot match. However, I remain of the opinion that a foldable is still very much a luxury purchase that needs you to accept a few hardware trade-offs for the option of being able to unfold your phone and pull out a bigger screen. And if you’re considering investing in one, these are just a few of the pros and cons that you need to keep in mind before spending your money.