Have foldable smartphones finally gone mainstream?
For years, foldable phones have been praised for their unique design, but worries about their durability, size, and high price have held back wider adoption. But with the launch of devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5G, Z Flip7 5G, Vivo X Fold 5, and Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, the segment may have reached a turning point. The data now points to the fact that foldables have evolved into commercially viable, feature-rich smartphones. From niche and aspirational devices, they are now becoming products that consumers are actively looking for, discussing, and buying.
Foldables are finally growing up – and Samsung is leading the charge
According to 91mobiles’ popularity data from July 2025, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 alone accounted for 45.5 percent of the top five most searched foldables. The Galaxy Z Flip7 claimed a further 13.1 percent share. Together, these two phones controlled nearly 60 percent of consumer interest in the foldable segment for the month, outperforming key rivals like the Vivo X Fold 5 and Motorola’s Razr 60 series. The Fold7’s 45.5 percent popularity figure is especially notable considering it was launched only weeks ago.
| S. No. | Phones | % share among top 5 phones |
| 1 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 | 45.5% |
| 2 | vivo X Fold 5 | 20.6% |
| 3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 | 13.1% |
| 4 | Motorola Razr 60 Ultra | 11.3% |
| 5 | Motorola Razr 60 | 9.6% |
The rise in interest has also translated into real-world demand. Samsung recently confirmed that the Fold7 showed unprecedented pre-order volumes and even went out of stock in some regions shortly after launch, which is an early indicator that the foldable form factor is finally getting mainstream attention.
Foldables in 2025 have fewer pain points
The increased demand owes to the fact that the latest offerings are more refined, more durable and more usable than before. Case in point, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is noticeably slimmer and lighter compared to earlier generations, addressing two of the most common complaints: weight and thickness. Durability, which used to be another longstanding concern, has also seen improvements. The new Armor FlexHinge mechanism is 27 percent thinner and 43 per cent lighter and still 14 percent stronger than its predecessor. The display crease is less intrusive, and the phone carries IPX8 water resistance, all of which make the device durable and reliable for daily use.
These improvements have not gone unnoticed by potential buyers. In a recent poll conducted among the 91mobiles Tech Tribe members, 72.5 percent of respondents said the Galaxy Z Fold7 was the most impressive foldable phone launched recently. The book-style Z Fold7 also emerged as the preferred form factor for 75.5 percent of those polled, primarily because of the larger screen and better productivity use cases.
What buyers care about in a foldable
When our Tech Tribe members were asked what matters most in a foldable device, multitasking and productivity features topped the list at 35.5 percent. This was followed by design, camera performance, and durability. The Fold7, with its taskbar, improved app continuity between inner and outer screens, and AI-powered multitasking tools, seems well-aligned with what users want.
AI features also appear to resonate more with Fold buyers than Flip buyers. In the same poll, 68.4 percent said AI felt more useful on a fold-style device.
Flip or Fold? Depends on the use case
The flip form factor, meanwhile, caters to a different audience. It’s compact, chic, and easier to carry around. While only 14.5 percent preferred to buy the flip form factor in the next 6-12 months, compared to 31.6 percent who prefer the fold, nearly 45 percent of users still found the flip more practical for daily use. This could be thanks to the Flip’s portability and one-handed usability.
Still a niche, but a growing one
Despite the growing buzz, mass-market adoption still has a way to go. In the same Tech Tribe poll, nearly 40 percent of respondents said they are open to buying a foldable or flip phone in the next 6 to 12 months. Among them, 31.6 percent prefer a Fold-style device. Another 14.5 percent leaned towards a Flip. And 3.9 percent said they already own a foldable. As foldables become more refined and affordable, this interest is likely to grow.
So, foldables are no longer experiments. While the segment still has some hurdles to cross before it goes fully mainstream, signs like popularity rankings, community sentiment, and actual purchase interest suggest foldables are getting closer.
