The foldable smartphone market in 2025 is no longer the experimental playground of years past. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and the latest iterations from Motorola, Oppo, and Honor have finally matured into refined, reliable, and genuinely powerful pieces of technology (Source 1.1, 4.3).
Durability has been addressed, performance is flagship-grade, and the software experience is seamlessly intuitive (Source 4.3). This maturity creates a pivotal decision point for consumers: Should I dive into the foldable world now, or wait for the next generation in 2026?
This decision involves balancing immediate, tangible gains against the promise of revolutionary (and potentially cheaper) technology down the road. BestPrice breaks down the three most compelling reasons to buy a foldable today and the two significant factors that should give you pause.
✅ 3 Reasons to Buy a Foldable Now The argument for purchasing a foldable in 2025 is stronger than ever, largely due to the industry finally solving the primary issues that plagued early models.
- Durability is No Longer a Major Concern The biggest psychological barrier for consumers—the fear of a fragile, easily damaged screen—has largely been overcome by the latest generation of devices (Source 4.1). Modern foldables are robust enough for daily life.
1.1. Hinge and Material Excellence Manufacturers have engineered sophisticated solutions to the stress of folding and dust ingress:
Hinge Longevity: Modern hinges, often utilizing titanium or high-grade alloys in a “waterdrop” or proprietary gearless design, are now reliably rated for $\mathbf{200,000}$ to over $\mathbf{400,000}$ folds (Source 4.1, 4.4). For a heavy user, $\mathbf{200,000}$ folds equates to over five years of use, folding the phone over $\mathbf{100}$ times a day—a guarantee that matches or exceeds the typical lifecycle of a slab phone (Source 4.1). Crease Minimization: Advances in Ultra-Thin Glass ($\text{UTG}$) and hinge design (like Samsung’s Flex Hinge) significantly reduce the visible crease (Source 4.3, 4.4). While not invisible, the crease is no longer a major distraction. 1.2. Water and Dust Resistance Milestones The current generation has achieved critical protection standards:
Water Resistance ($\text{IPX8}$): The industry standard, led by Samsung, ensures the most popular foldables (like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7) can withstand submersion in water (Source 4.1). Dust Resistance Breakthroughs: The holy grail—true dust resistance—is finally arriving. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a key example, rumored to be the first major foldable to achieve a full $\text{IP68}$ rating, which provides comprehensive dust and water protection, directly addressing the “pocket sand” problem (Source 4.1, 4.2). The Takeaway: You can now buy a foldable with confidence that its longevity is comparable to a traditional flagship device.
- Software and Ecosystem Are Fully Mature Early foldables were hardware experiments running unoptimized software. Today, the software experience is the most compelling reason to buy one.
2.1. Seamless Multitasking and Productivity The ability to run three apps simultaneously on a single large screen is a game-changer for productivity that a slab phone cannot replicate (Source 1.1).
Samsung One UI: Samsung’s years of refinement shine here. Features like the persistent Taskbar (on the Z Fold 7) allow users to drag-and-drop apps for quick, intuitive three-pane multitasking—perfect for referencing a document, joining a video call, and taking notes all at once. Google’s Android Optimization: Google has heavily optimized Android for the foldable form factor, ensuring apps behave gracefully in split-screen, on the cover screen, and when transitioning between folded and unfolded states (Source 4.2). 2.2. Dedicated $\text{AI}$ and Flex Modes New features leverage the unique folding ability:
Flex Mode Utility: Using the phone partially folded (like a mini-laptop) for hands-free video calls, tripod-less photography, or viewing video content on the top screen with controls on the bottom is a functional benefit that is fully supported by native and third-party apps (Source 4.2). Galaxy $\text{AI}$: Devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 integrate Galaxy $\text{AI}$ features (powered by Gemini Live) which are enhanced by the larger screen canvas, making complex tasks like real-time translation or advanced $\text{AI}$ editing more intuitive (Source 1.3). The Takeaway: The software has caught up to the hardware, making the large screen a productivity tool, not just a gimmick.
- The Form Factor Gap is Closing (Thinner and Lighter) A major complaint about early foldables was their weight and bulk. The 2025 generation has made massive strides in reducing the “brick” factor.
The Ultra-Thin Race: New flagships like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 are achieving unprecedented thinness and lightness, with some models being thinner and lighter than flagship slab phones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max when unfolded (Source 1.1, 1.3). Improved Cover Screens: The cover screens have improved dramatically, achieving flagship brightness and refresh rates. This means the phone is fully usable when folded, eliminating the awkwardness of old models (Source 4.3). The Takeaway: You no longer need to compromise on portability to gain the large, foldable screen.
🛑 2 Reasons to Hold Off on Buying a Foldable Despite the significant maturity of the current generation, there are two major factors—one technical, one financial—that make waiting until 2026 a justifiable choice for some consumers.
- Waiting for the Crease to Disappear (and Apple’s Entry) While the crease is minimized, it is not eliminated on mass-market foldables in 2025. True crease-free technology is the last major hurdle.
1.1. The Engineering Endgame Manufacturers are constantly working on new hinge and display technologies to fully smooth out the fold. Analysts anticipate that the 2026 generation will feature a significant breakthrough, potentially delivering the first truly crease-free display to the market (Source 3.2, 4.2). This is the key physical imperfection that, once solved, will make foldables functionally indistinguishable from slab screens when unfolded.
1.2. The Apple Factor The long-rumored Apple Foldable iPhone is widely expected to launch in 2026 (Source 3.1, 3.2). Apple historically waits for a technology to mature before entering a market, aiming for a highly polished, refined product.
Potential Breakthrough: Apple’s entry is rumored to prioritize a virtually crease-free design using advanced hinge materials like titanium and specialized $\text{UTG}$ (Source 3.1, 3.3). Ecosystem Impact: The launch will inevitably force an even higher standard of innovation across the entire industry, and Apple’s optimization of $\text{iOS}$ for a foldable screen could offer a completely new user experience that current Android foldables do not provide. The Hold-Off Argument: If the physical crease is your final red line, or if you are a committed $\text{iOS}$ user, waiting for the $\mathbf{2026}$ models is the prudent choice.
- High Price and Looming Budget Options Foldables remain an ultra-premium product, and while the price is justified by the technology, it is still a major financial commitment.
2.1. The Premium Price Tag Flagship foldables in 2025 still start around the $\mathbf{\$1,700}$ to $\mathbf{\$2,000}$ price point (Source 1.3, 3.3).
Apple’s Cost: The anticipated price for the Apple Foldable iPhone in $\mathbf{2026}$ is even higher, projected at around $\mathbf{\$2,399}$ (Source 3.2, 5.1). Financial Trade-Off: For the price of one top-tier foldable, you could buy a flagship slab phone and a high-end tablet, or two excellent mid-range devices. 2.2. The Promise of the Budget Foldable While some budget options exist (like the Motorola Razr 2025), the market for mid-range, feature-rich foldables is expected to expand dramatically in $\mathbf{2026}$ (Source 1.2, 4.2).
Simplified Specs: As hinge technology and $\text{UTG}$ yield rates improve, manufacturers will be able to launch foldables with slightly simplified camera systems or less powerful chipsets, bringing the price down toward the $\mathbf{\$1,000}$ to $\mathbf{\$1,200}$ range (Source 1.2). The Flip Growth: The clamshell (Flip) segment is already forecast to have the fastest growth, and that growth will be heavily driven by more affordable models entering the market (Source 1.2, 1.4). The Hold-Off Argument: If $\mathbf{\$2,000}$ is a stretch, waiting a year will provide a wider range of high-quality, more affordable options that benefit from the trickle-down of 2025’s technological advancements.
🎯 BestPrice Final Verdict For the first time, we can confidently say that now is a fantastic time to buy a foldable.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its competitors have solved the fundamental problems of durability and software polish. The $\mathbf{2025}$ generation delivers a completely unique and highly practical experience that genuinely justifies the premium cost for productivity enthusiasts and media consumers.
Buy Now If: You are a productivity power user, crave the immersive media experience of a large screen, are tired of carrying a phone and a tablet, and are confident in the proven $\mathbf{IPX8}$ durability. The functional benefits of seamless multitasking are available today. Wait If: You are an $\text{iOS}$ user, the visible screen crease is a dealbreaker, or you need the absolute lowest possible price point. Waiting for the $\mathbf{2026}$ cycle promises a likely crease-free display and greater affordability in the mid-range. The ultimate decision: Foldables are no longer a gadget; they are a mature smartphone category. If you want the experience, the latest models are ready for your pocket. If you demand perfection and are not tied to the $\text{Android}$ ecosystem, the wait for $\mathbf{2026}$ might be worth the agonizing delay.
