Brace for more foldable phones with this form factor (if readers get their way)

It’s been over seven years since we first welcomed foldable phones to the market, and since then, they’ve taken on various forms. Some worked really well, like the mainline Galaxy Z Fold series , while others have fallen to the wayside, like Microsoft’s Surface Duo. While the latter is still regarded as a bad bet on Microsoft’s part — and is, arguably, more a dual-screen device than a foldable — it did seemingly…

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Nov 4, 2026 — 4:03 AM ET

It’s been over seven years since we first welcomed foldable phones to the market, and since then, they’ve taken on various forms. Some worked really well, like the mainline Galaxy Z Fold series, while others have fallen to the wayside, like Microsoft’s Surface Duo. While the latter is still regarded as a bad bet on Microsoft’s part — and is, arguably, more a dual-screen device than a foldable — it did seemingly predict one notable trend.

This year, we’ve seen the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and iPhone Duo adopt squatter form factors compared to devices before them, which raises the question: Do consumers prefer these short, squat screen aspect ratios over taller, narrower alternatives?

We ran a reader poll to find out, and the results point to a definitive winner.

Just under 70% of the 1,145 respondents confirmed that they prefer “wide” foldables, like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and iPhone Duo, over any other form factor. That’s a comprehensive win for a trend that’ll likely continue growing into the coming months.

There are clear advantages to this particular format, including a more user-friendly front display, a lighter frame compared to its Z Fold 8 Ultra sibling, and more pocketability.

My colleague Tushar Mehta summarizes in his one-month-later review why the Z Fold 8’s design works:

Every moment I have spent with the Fold 8 has changed my perception of what a phone should feel like in the hand. Rather than thinking of the Fold 8 in terms such as “short,” “stout,” or “wide,” I have come to feel that every other phone is too tall and unwieldy.

You do lose out on overall screen real estate and a few additional Ultra features that aren’t necessarily specific to its form factor.

Speaking of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, around 20% of voting readers preferred “tall and narrow book-style” foldables.

Reader Mark Kendrick explained why they prefer taller devices:

I have really taken to the book style foldables, I’m currently using a Z Fold 8 Ultra. I personally don’t like the short and wide form factor, texting sure seems like a chore.

Lastly, a cohort of 11.1% sides with “clamshell” foldables, in the same vein as the Galaxy Z Flip series.

If consumers get their way, you can expect far more wide foldable phone form factors to launch in the coming months.

Inner screen is great for videos

Powerful

Do you agree with the majority on this poll? What foldable phone aspect ratio do you or would you prefer? Let’s discuss in the comments section.